Support Italian indie films!!

From August 27-30 there will be the national premiere of the Italian indie movie “La Patente” (The License) by a young Roman director, Alessandro Palazzi, at Nuovo Cinema Aquila.

On Wednesday, August 29th, there will be two special screenings (20:30 and 22:30) with ENGLISH subtitles. 

NUOVO CINEMA AQUILA


via l’Aquila #68    

Rome 

PLOT:

“The License” is a modern-day ensemble comedy revolving around the lives of two Roman slackers.

Rolando, thirty-something and perpetually unsatisfied, works at his future father-in-law’s driving school, and Sergio is a waiter at the corner café as well as a small-time drug dealer.

Thanks to the unexpected death of the elderly owner, they end up taking control of the driving school during the pivotal week before the final driving test.

Characters of all ages and from all walks of life, future drivers and their unlikely instructors, come together to create a reality that borders on grotesque, yet feels incredibly familiar. It touches on important issues like integration in present-day Italy, and gender roles, while never losing its comic tone. 

Directions:

- From downtown/Termini Station

Bus 81 (from St. Peter, Largo Argentina, Piazza Venezia)

Bus 810 (From Piazza Venezia)

Tram 5 and 14, Bus 105 (from Termini Station)

- To downtown/Termini Central Station

before midnight all the above

after midnight: Night Bus N.12 (to Termini Station, Piazza Barberini, Piazza Venezia)

Opulentia

While wandering in Pigneto before heading over to this amazing outdoor festival in an incredibly picturesque spot,  

we stopped by one of my favorite pizza places. 

This isn't a sit-down pizza place, or a pizza a taglio place, they only serve pizza bianca filled with the most sublime ingredients (many of which are vegetarian and vegan friendly). My picks: a piece with chicory and potato puree with dried tomatoes, and a piece with olive pate, zucchini, and tomatoes. DELICIOUS! They also have artisanal beers and beverages. 

I also discovered that Opulentia happens to have a stand at the Pigneto Spazio Aperto festival. One more reason to go!

How can you not love August in Rome?

I ♥ Casa del Cinema

This year the Casa del Cinema has outdone itself. They have an amazing selection of outdoor, free screenings! There are a few different retrospectives:

100 years of universal and paramount

Shakespeare in movies

Hello, male 

Homage to Antonioni

When she becomes a he

Come dance

Happy birthday to...

Rome in August gets better and better. GO see some films outdoors!!

MovieReading

I've been meaning to write about this for a while... not sure how many of you have heard about this but I find it BRILLIANT! An incredibly useful tool for moviegoers worldwide.


Would you like to go to the cinema to see whatever movie is being screened, and read the subtitles, because you have hearing difficulties, or you speak another language?
With MovieReading today it is finally possible! You can choose the movie you want, and the subtitles in the language you desire.
All you need is a smartphone or a tablet, and of course a ticket… and MovieReading does the rest!
Install MovieReading’s application on your smartphone, and the cinemas open their doors to you.
Gone are the old subtitled movies, screened at impossible times, and on a few screens in your town.
As of today all movies are accessible from the first day of screening, or at most a week after the first screening.


Check it out:
http://www.moviereading.com/en/

summer joy

The legendary FataMorgana has now opened an ice cream shop in TRASTEVERE!
My neighborhood may be chock-full of gelaterie already, but most are mediocre to say the least. I for one am thrilled to have them in the 'hood.
Take a stroll to Pizza San Cosimato and get a scoop or two (or three) at FataMorgana on Via Roma Libera #11.

August will be even sweeter now!

adventures in banking

How long does it take to close an Italian bank account? I found out today, join me on my adventure in banking...
I decided to close a secondary account I had since the bank was essential draining my euros one by one through various taxes, charges, surtaxes, etc. I went to my branch and was informed that in order to close the account I had to bring in 1) the ATM card I was given when I opened the account 2) the device I was given for online transactions (see below).

Okay... I go back home, gather the "o-key" but then realize I didn't have the ATM card since I'd cut it up and threw it away when I received it as I knew I'd never use it (no one ever told me I'd have to give it back when I closed the account). I call the bank and ask what happens if I don't have the card. I'm told to call the toll-free number and block the card. I call and block the card but am then told I have to go to the police and file a report as well and bring that to the bank... Luckily I have a police station nearby so I go there and file a "denuncia".
I walk back to the bank, wait in line, go to the teller who then tells me he can't close the account for me, I need to go to the upstairs office for that. Once in the proper office with the proper person, it takes about 30 minutes for the woman to figure out how to close the account (after having interrogated me on why I was closing the account, she seemed to take it so personally you'd think I was breaking up with her). Papers signed, stamped, double/triple copies and it's done. Total time: 3 hours.

"American breakfast"

We all know brunch has become rather trendy in Rome in the past few years, but recently a less impegnativo, less expensive version of it has been popping up in the neighborhood: "American breakfast".
A bar on Via Roma Libera started advertising the fact that they served bagels and scrambled eggs last year (though I've never worked up the nerve to try it or even inquire about the price) and just the other day I noticed that Mr. Clood had revamped its space AND has started serving "American breakfast" consisting of eggs, French toast, orange juice, etc. I'm very curious to test out not only their breakfast but also their quick and take-away lunch/dinner options. I'll keep you posted.
In the meantime, feel free to check it out yourself:
Mr. Clood
Via Luciano Manara 13
tel: 06 581 5186
American breakfast 9:00-11:00
Lunch 12:00- 15:30
Dinner 19:00- 22:00