Reel Affirmations: The Nation's LGBT Film Festival 2008

Saturno Contro

In contemporary Rome, a group of 30- and 40-something friends has formed an open family that gathers around the kitchen table of committed partners Lorenzo & Davide, a successful author, for gourmet meals full of gossip, friendly jibes and the tender weight of long-term friendships. Glamorous, wealthy and at the height of their careers, the group includes Davide's ex Sergio (Ennio Fantastichini); Antonio (Stefano Accorsi) and Angelica (Margherita Buy) a married couple with kids; drug addict Roberta (Ambra Angiolini); bitter Neval (Serra Yilmaz) and her policeman husband (Filippo Timi).

When their beloved Davide has a heart attack at the table, the group takes turns waiting outside his hospital room, and the little secrets and tensions among them begin to magnify and undermine their relationships. Grappling with infidelity, melancholy, resentment and grief, the group's stability and intimacy seems threatened as long-dormant feelings resurface and new insecurities see the light of day.

The emotional turmoil hidden under genuine feelings of love and comraderie adds a layer of humanity to this beautiful film, where all the characters seemingly stepped out of Italian Vogue.

Awards: David di Donatella Award, Best Supporting Actress Ambra Angiolini

Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists: Best Actress Margherita Buy

Best Screenplay, Ferzan Ozpetek and Gianni Romoli