Wishing on a Star
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.
In Focus: Italy on Screen
This 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.
Screenings & Events
Screening
Sun, Oct 20 @ 3:15pm CDT
at AMC NEWCITY 14, screen 04
Director Péter Kerekes and subjects Luciana de Leoni D'Asparedo, Adriana Vangone & Giuliana Vangone
Screening
Mon, Oct 21 @ 2:30pm CDT
at AMC NEWCITY 14, screen 01
Director Péter Kerekes and subjects Luciana de Leoni D'Asparedo, Adriana Vangone & Giuliana Vangone
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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
Documentary Program Patron
Cynthia Stone Raskin