Coming Soon: The Last One for the Road (2025) by Francesco Sossai

Le città di pianura (The Last One for the Road) (2025) by Francesco Sossai: An Existential Road Trip in the Venetian Plains

Description: "Le città di pianura" (English: "The Last One for the Road") is an Italian-German dramatic road movie by Francesco Sossai. Set in the rural plains of Veneto, the film follows two eccentric, hard-drinking fifty-somethings on their perpetual quest for "one last drink." Their aimless odyssey takes an unexpected turn when they encounter a shy, introverted architecture student, drawing him into their chaotic, alcohol-fueled world and profoundly altering his perception of life, love,

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36491632/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/477790/

About movie: https://luckynumber.fr/movies/

Release Date on Streaming: No specific streaming release date has been announced yet. It will likely follow its theatrical windows.

Theatrical Release:

• World Premiere: May 21, 2025, at the 78th Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard).

• Italy: Release date to be confirmed by 01 Distribution (expected late 2025/early 2026).

• France: Release date to be confirmed (expected late 2025/early 2026).

Detailed Summary: In the expansive, often overlooked, rural landscape of Italy's Veneto region, we meet Carlobianchi (Sergio Romano) and Doriano (Pierpaolo Capovilla), two boisterous fifty-somethings whose lives revolve around a singular, almost philosophical, obsession: the pursuit of "the last drink." Their existence is a meandering, often inebriated, odyssey from one bar to another, punctuated by local delicacies like snails and polenta, and a shared nostalgia for a simpler, perhaps more prosperous, past. One night, amidst their ramblings in a dilapidated car, they stumble upon Giulio (Filippo Scotti), a timid and earnest architecture student, seemingly lost and adrift. What begins as a chance encounter quickly evolves into a chaotic, transformative road trip. The two older men, with their unconventional wisdom, bad advice, and an almost child-like detachment from societal norms, inadvertently become unlikely mentors to Giulio. Their bizarre escapades, fueled by alcohol and a search for a rumored hidden "treasure" left by a legendary friend named Genio, force Giulio to confront his own anxieties about love, life, and his future. The film maps the landscape and humanity of a North-East Italy that seems to be losing its identity, offering a poignant look at friendship, aging, and the search for meaning in an unhurried, almost timeless setting, all filtered through the haze of a persistent hangover.

Plot Summary:

• Carlobianchi and Doriano, two eccentric middle-aged men in rural Veneto, are perpetually seeking "the last drink."

• Their daily lives involve drinking, eating local food, and reminiscing about the past.

• One night, they encounter Giulio, a shy and introverted architecture student, seemingly by chance.

• Giulio is reluctantly drawn into their aimless, alcohol-fueled road trip through the Venetian plains.

• The two older men impart unconventional life lessons, bad advice, and a unique perspective on existence to Giulio.

• Their journey is also loosely tied to the legend of a hidden "treasure" left by their old friend, Genio.

• Giulio's worldview, particularly concerning love and his future, is profoundly transformed by this experience.

• The film culminates in a melancholic yet ironic reflection on life, friendship, and finding meaning in unexpected places.

Director's Vision: Francesco Sossai, a native of the Italian Dolomites, aims to craft a "road movie" that is both deeply local and surprisingly universal. He uses the specific, rural Veneto landscape – a region often associated with economic dynamism but here portrayed with a sense of melancholic decline – as a backdrop for an existential journey. Sossai is interested in the "men who drink" and the unique camaraderie and perspective that can emerge from such a lifestyle. He strives for a "languid energy" that slowly builds and eventually moves the audience, suggesting that perhaps the "secret of the world" or an alternative to today's frenetic, ambitious life, might be found in the unhurried, almost sgangherato (ramshackle) pace of his protagonists. The film has a distinct "1990s" feel, yet manages to capture a contemporary world.

Themes:

• The Pursuit of "The Last Drink" and Existentialism: The obsession with "the last drink" transcends mere alcoholism, becoming a metaphor for a search for elusive satisfaction, meaning, or a way to indefinitely prolong a particular state of being. It speaks to a deeper existential quest.

• Unconventional Mentorship and Coming of Age: The unexpected bond between the two older, unconventional men and the timid young student forms the core of the narrative. Their "bad advice" and life philosophies inadvertently guide Giulio's personal growth and transformation.

• Nostalgia and Identity of a Region: The film evokes a melancholic nostalgia for a past Veneto, subtly exploring how the region's identity is changing or being lost, particularly in relation to economic shifts and "infrastructure" replacing "land."

• Friendship and Male Bonding: At its heart, the film is a celebration of an improbable male friendship forged on the road, highlighting camaraderie, shared experiences, and a unique form of loyalty.

• The Anti-Establishment/Anti-Materialistic Lifestyle: Carlobianchi and Doriano live outside mainstream societal norms, embracing a simple, unhurried, and pleasure-seeking existence that contrasts with the ambitious, fast-paced world Giulio initially inhabits.

Key Success Factors:

• Unique Premise and Character Dynamics: The "road trip with drinking buddies and a shy student" provides a fresh and compelling setup.

• Strong Performances: The cast, particularly Sergio Romano and Pierpaolo Capovilla as the two older men and Filippo Scotti as Giulio, are praised for their nuanced portrayals.

• Atmospheric Setting: The specific, rural Venetian landscape acts as more than just a backdrop, becoming a character in itself, influencing the film's mood and pace.

• Melancholic Humor and Poignancy: The film successfully balances humor with a deeper, often poignant, exploration of life, aging, and connection.

• Festival Recognition: Its selection for Cannes' Un Certain Regard significantly boosts its profile and critical attention.

Summary Short: "Le città di pianura" is a melancholic Italian-German road movie where two hard-drinking, eccentric fifty-somethings take a shy architecture student on a chaotic, existential journey through rural Veneto, transforming his outlook on life and love.

Awards and Nominations:

• 78th Cannes Film Festival (2025): Official Selection, Un Certain Regard.

• The film has received early positive buzz and nominations within the festival circuit, as seen with its selection for Cannes. Specific awards won will become clearer as it continues its festival run and official release.

Critics Reception: Early critical reception for "Le città di pianura" from its Cannes premiere has been largely positive, highlighting its unique tone and strong performances.

• La Repubblica (Alberto Crespi): Praises the film as a "profoundly local and surprisingly universal" work, noting how Sossai "conquers Cannes" with his vision of Veneto. He highlights the blend of "vitelloni," wild nights, and a buried treasure.

• Sentieri Selvaggi (Aldo Spiniello): Comments that the "alcoholic journey of the protagonists has a ramshackle rhythm, just like the film itself," and that it "seems to come from the 90s and yet knows how to tell a world." He suggests the film "finds a laconic energy that grows slowly and eventually moves."

• Taxidrivers.it: Refers to it as the "beautiful debut" for Sossai (referring to it as his debut feature at Cannes, despite his prior work), describing it as a "journey of initiation into life."

• Cineuropa (Vittoria Scarpa): Mentions Sossai's road movie as a highlight at Cannes, focusing on the film's exploration of men who drink and their unique perspective.

• Variety (Review TBD - based on headline): An early headline from Variety, "A Pleasant Italian Gem on Drinking Buddies, Aging and Wistful Flavors of Life," suggests a generally positive take, appreciating its exploration of themes of aging and friendship.

Reviews (Overall Summary): Overall, critics are receiving "Le città di pianura" warmly, acknowledging its distinct Italian flavor and Sossai's unique directorial voice. Reviewers consistently praise its atmospheric quality, the compelling dynamics between the three lead characters, and its ability to blend humor with a deeper, melancholic exploration of life's complexities. The film is noted for its "ramshackle" yet emotionally resonant journey, offering a refreshing take on the road movie genre by focusing on existential themes in a specific, rural Italian context.

Box Office: As the film premiered at Cannes in May 2025 and has not yet had a wide theatrical release, specific box office figures are not yet available. Its success will depend on its subsequent theatrical distribution in Italy, Germany, and other territories.

Production: "Le città di pianura" is an Italian-German co-production. Principal photography took place in late 2024 across various locations in Veneto, Italy, including Sedico, Feltre, Padua, Chioggia, and the notable Brion Memorial in Altivole, which contributes to the film's distinct sense of place. The film runs for 98 minutes.

Production Companies:

• Vivo Film (Italy)

• Maze Pictures (Germany)

• Rai Cinema (Italy)

• With support from Ministero della Cultura (Italian Ministry of Culture), Eurimages, Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA - German Federal Film Board), Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien (German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media), and Fondazione Veneto Film Commission.

Sales Companies:

• Lucky Number (France) - Handles world sales.

Distribution Companies:

• 01 Distribution (Italy) - For Italian theatrical release.

• Epicentre Films (France) - For French theatrical release (likely, as per Cannes listing).

Why to Recommend This Movie:

• Unique Road Movie: It offers a fresh, existential take on the genre, moving beyond simple travel to explore deeper life questions.

• Strong Character-Driven Narrative: The film excels in its portrayal of unusual and endearing characters and their evolving relationships.

• Authentic Italian Setting: It provides a glimpse into a specific, less-explored part of rural Italy, rich in local flavor and cultural nuances.

• Thought-Provoking Themes: It encourages reflection on aging, friendship, the pursuit of happiness, and finding meaning outside conventional paths.

• Critically Acclaimed at Cannes: Its premiere at a prestigious festival like Cannes suggests a high artistic quality and unique vision.

Why to Watch Movie:

• If you enjoy character-driven dramas with philosophical undertones: The film delves into the lives and perspectives of its distinct characters.

• For fans of European cinema: It offers a quintessential European arthouse feel, blending drama, humor, and a strong sense of place.

• To experience a fresh directorial voice: Francesco Sossai brings a unique sensibility to the narrative, blending melancholia with irony.

• If you're seeking a film that explores male friendships and intergenerational dynamics: The central trio's evolving bond is a core strength.

• For a visual journey through the Venetian plains: The cinematography promises to make the landscape a significant element of the story.

What Movie Trend Film is Following:

• "Mumblecore-adjacent European Road Trip": While not strictly mumblecore, the film leans into a character-driven, dialogue-heavy style with a focus on naturalistic performances and often improvised-feeling interactions. It uses the "road trip" format as a vehicle for existential exploration and intergenerational bonding, a trend seen in various European independent films that prioritize character and mood over plot.

What Big Social Trend is Following:

• "Quest for Authentic Living / Anti-Hustle Culture": The film's protagonists, particularly the two older men, embody a lifestyle that deliberately rejects the fast-paced, achievement-oriented "hustle culture" prevalent in modern society. Their pursuit of "the last drink" and their aimless wandering can be seen as a subversion of materialistic values, aligning with a growing social trend of seeking authenticity, simplicity, and alternative measures of success and happiness.

Final Verdict: "Le città di pianura" promises to be a poignant and uniquely Italian cinematic experience. Francesco Sossai crafts a "ramshackle" yet deeply moving road movie, driven by compelling characters and an atmospheric setting. Its exploration of friendship, aging, and the search for meaning against the backdrop of a changing rural Veneto makes it a rich and thought-provoking drama. Its Cannes selection signifies its artistic merit and marks it as a strong contender for critical acclaim. This is a film for those who appreciate cinema that lingers, offering subtle insights into the human condition with a touch of melancholic charm.

Recommendations for Filmmakers:

• Embrace Local Specificity for Universal Themes: Sossai effectively uses the very specific setting of rural Veneto to explore universal themes of aging, meaning, and connection. Filmmakers should consider how deeply rooted local stories can resonate globally.

• Trust in Character Chemistry: The film's strength lies in the dynamic between its three main characters. Prioritize casting and directing actors who can create believable and engaging relationships, even if the plot is episodic.

• Allow for Languid Pacing: In an era of fast-paced storytelling, sometimes a slower, more observational pace can be incredibly effective for character development and atmospheric immersion, especially for existential or melancholic narratives.

• Use Setting as a Character: The Venetian plains are more than just a backdrop; they influence the mood and themes. Consider how the environment can become an active participant in your story.

• Explore Unconventional Mentorship: The film's exploration of non-traditional mentors (the two older men) providing a unique form of guidance to a younger character is compelling. This dynamic can lead to fresh narratives.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Support Distinctive European Voices: Films like "Le città di pianura" demonstrate the rich tapestry of European cinema. The industry should continue to foster and distribute unique directorial visions that blend genre elements with arthouse sensibilities.

• Invest in Character-Driven Narratives: While spectacle has its place, films that prioritize nuanced characters and their internal journeys can offer profound and lasting impact.

• Recognize the Value of Festival Showcases: Premiering at prestigious festivals like Cannes provides crucial early buzz, critical validation, and international sales opportunities for films that might not fit mainstream commercial molds.

• Embrace International Co-productions: The Italian-German co-production model allows for broader funding, talent pools, and distribution reach, proving beneficial for films with artistic ambitions.

• Market the Unique Flavor: For films that don't fit easily into a single genre, effective marketing that highlights their specific atmosphere, character dynamics, and thematic depth can help them find their audience.