Genre: Drama

Language: Italian with English Subtitles

Director: Vincenzo Marra

Cast: Fanny Ardant, Michele Lastella, Giulia Bevilacqua, Augusto Zucchi, Antonio Gerardi, Barbara Valmorin

Released: 2007

Duration: 98 Minutes

Rating: M contains sex scenes

Distribution: Palace Films

2007 Venice Film Festival: Nominee Golden Lion; 2008 Mostra De Valencia: "Palmera de Bronce" Award for Best Film

This tight new film from award-winning director Vincenzo Marra (‘Sailing Home’) is about an Italian tax official who recklessly commits fraud and bribery in order to join the caste of the nouveau riche of Rome.

Filippo Costa (Michele Lastella), a young customs officer of modest social standing has enormous ambition that isolates him from his colleagues and his envionment.  Initially aspiring to climb the career ladder, once he has come face to face with corruption he realises that he can set his sights much higher. In his unstoppable social climbing, he is helped by Caterina (Fanny Ardant), a beautiful but aging, cultured and well-connected gallery owner. Before long Fillipo is mingling in high society and rubbing shoulders with the mighty while also trying to juggle his mistress and his true love.  In order to avoid being crushed by the harsh rules of this financial world Filippo will be forced to let go of every moral and human restraint, to give up both everything that was at core of his upbringing and the woman he believes he truly loves.   But will his reach exceed his grasp?

With this worldly thriller, Marra lays bare the corruption that is particularly topical for parts of Italian society, where tax evasion is a national pastime, but more disturbingly it suggests a moral vacuum that pervades Italian society.