Film Countries Archives: Czech Republic

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Two women with matching hair, sunglasses, and bathing suits lie head to head by a pool.

Wishing on a Star

  Péter Kerekes

  Italy, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Croatia     99 minutes

Synopsis

Luciana, a trusted Italian astrologer, promises her clients a way to make their dreams come true: All they need to do is take a special birthday trip to a destination determined by their astrological profile. Sitting behind her computer, Luciana quickly types in some data. Out comes a client’s wish-fulfilling location, be it Taipei, Beirut, or Alaska. As Luciana’s customers — from fun-loving twins to an elderly woman — venture out, they discover fulfillment in the unlikeliest of places.

Mixing deadpan wit and bittersweet poignance, Slovak director Péter Kerekes (ChicagoIFF winner Cooking History) returns to the Festival with a wondrously stylized documentary that is as surprising and idiosyncratic as its central psychic. No matter what you think of Luciana’s practice, Wishing on a Star offers an authentically sensitive and universal portrait of the human desire for happiness—and the lengths people will go to find it.

 Italian, Friulian with subtitles

In Focus: Italy on Screen

the flag of ItalyThis film is part of the 60th Chicago International Film Festival’s In Focus: Italy on Screen collection, celebrating Italian cinema by harkening back to the best of the country’s filmmaking traditions while showcasing vibrant new work.

Learn more about this collection

Screenings & Events

Media

Film Credits

  •   Erica Barbiani, Lucia Candelpergher, Péter Kerekes, Vit Schmarc, Ralph Wieser, Vanja Jambrovic, Stefano Centini
  •   Erica Barbiani, Péter Kerekes
  •   Marek Šulík
  •   Martin Kollar
  •   Luciana de Leoni d’Asparedo, Valentina Angeli, Alessandra Fornasier, Barbara Lutman, Giovanni Rugo, Adriana Vangone, Giuliana Vangone
  •   Lucia Chuťková
  •   Videomante, Kerekesfilm, Artcam Films, Mischief Films, Restart, Volos Films

Sponsors

Comedy Program Partner

Documentary Program Partner

Logo: WTTW (2019)

Documentary Program Patron

Cynthia Stone Raskin

With Support From

Logo: Cinecittà 288x60Logo: Italian Ministry of Culture 179x80Logo: Italian Cultural Institute - 200x100