International correspondent
'Basileia': First Trailer for Venice Days Closing Film
Isabella Torre is in Venice with her debut feature film, “Basileia.” The film follows an archaeologist who, while investigating a tomb containing ancient treasure in the rugged Aspromonte mountains of southern Italy, unleashes mythical nymphs.
The dark fairy tale—which closes the festival’s independently run Giornate Degli Autori, also known as Venice Days—was developed at Sundance Lab. It’s produced by Torres’ partner, director Jonas Carpignano (“A Chiara”) and sold by Luxbox. “Basileia” is an extension of Torres’ short film “Nymphs,” which premiered at Venice Horizons in 2018. The film stars Angela Fontana (“Indivisibili”) and Danish-American actor Elliott Crosset Hove (“Godland”).
Below, Torre and Carpignano speak to Variety about their venture into the unconventional genre with a story that combines mythology and contemporary reality.
