Genre: Romantic Drama

Language: Italian with English Subtitles

Director: Giuseppe Piccioni

Cast: Luigi Lo Cascio, Sandra Ceccarelli, Antonio Bruschetta, Fabio Camilli

Released: 2005

Duration: 100 Minutes

Rating: M contains sex scenes and offensive language

Distribution: Palace Films

2005 Berlin Film festival – Official selection Panorama

Laura (Sandra Ceccarelli) is a passionate, impetuous young woman, making her first uncertain steps in the world of acting.  At an audition for a period drama she meets the famous actor Stefano (Luigi Lo Cascio), who struck by Laura's vulnerability and beauty, sees she gets the part.  The two are cast opposite each other as lovers having a secret, forbidden affair.

Day after day the couple rehearse together, reciting words of love and gradually the make-believe of the film’s stolen embraces becomes intertwined with the intoxicating reality of their own true love story.  Where the make-believe script ends and the real-life one begins is soon too difficult to distinguish, and the shooting of the film within the film becomes an emotional minefield.

‘The life I want’ is the captivating and evocative new romantic drama from Giuseppe Piccioni (‘Light of my eyes’).  Richly woven and handsomely crafted, this glorious film cuts straight and unapologetically to the heart.