New Movies: Wishing on a Star (2024) by Peter Kerekes

Wishing on a Star (2024) by Peter Kerekes: An Astrological Quest for Happiness

Description: "Wishing on a Star" (original title "Wishing on a star") is a unique docu-drama film directed by the acclaimed Slovak filmmaker Peter Kerekes. Premiering at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in 2024, the film introduces Luciana de Leoni D'Asparedo, a captivating 63-year-old Neapolitan astrologer living in a crumbling castle in Italy. Luciana has a peculiar method for her clients to achieve their desires: they must take a "birthday trip" to a specific, astrologically determined location to be "reborn under a new sky." The film follows Luciana and several of her diverse clients on their often surprising journeys, blurring the lines between documentary and fiction to explore themes of fate, free will, and the human search for happiness.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33030357/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/466328/

About movie: https://filmsboutique.com/film/wishing-on-a-star/

Link to watch: https://kviff.tv/catalog/wishing-on-a-star (Czechia)

Detailed Summary: In the charming yet slightly decaying surroundings of Aiello del Friuli, not far from the Venetian Lagoon, resides Luciana de Leoni D'Asparedo, a 63-year-old Neapolitan astrologer with a most unusual practice. Unlike typical fortune-tellers, Luciana doesn't just read palms or tarot cards; she triangulates latitudes, longitudes, and ephemerides on maps to determine a precise, unique destination for each client's birthday. Her philosophy is that to make a wish come true and truly be "reborn," one must celebrate their birthday in this specific location, whether it's as far-flung as Taipei or Beirut, or as close as a nearby Croatian lake or a re-created "Alaska" in their own home.

"Wishing on a Star" unfolds in multiple layers. The first layer focuses on Luciana herself, as she sagely listens to the myriad wishes and woes of her diverse clientele. These include women seeking love, confused teenagers, entrepreneurs on the verge of breakdown, an aging undertaker who longs for a child, and even identical twins with conflicting plans for their future. Luciana acts as part esoteric strategist, part therapist, and part travel agent, offering advice that is both deeply empathetic and delightfully pragmatic (even looking for the best flight deals on Skyscanner).

The second layer delves into the everyday lives of these clients, sometimes revealing aspects that surprisingly contradict what they've shared with Luciana. The film then moves to its third, and often most whimsical, layer: accompanying these protagonists on their actual "birthday trips." We see them embarking on journeys to distant lands or attempting to recreate the essence of their assigned destination in their own living rooms. These segments are filled with unexpected transformations, moments of quiet reflection, and even comical mishaps, as the characters navigate their designated paths towards self-discovery and desired change. One woman, struggling with a domineering mother, finds unexpected liberation in a chilly lake swim after her mother's passing. Another, unable to afford a trip to Anchorage, attempts to visualize Alaska in her home with a stuffed polar bear and bowls of ice.

Finally, the film's fourth layer subtly weaves in Luciana's own struggles, doubts, and unfulfilled desires, revealing that even the wise astrologer has wishes of her own that she has yet to admit. Peter Kerekes masterfully combines the cinematic feel of a fiction film with the captured real emotions of real people, emphasizing the significant role of coincidence and the idea that while the stars may align, ultimate destiny often lies in one's own hands. The film is a bittersweet docu-comedy about the universal human search for happiness and the lengths to which people will go to find it.

Plot Summary:

• Luciana, a Neapolitan astrologer, advises clients to take "birthday trips" to specific global locations for astrological rebirth.

• Clients, including those seeking love, family resolution, or a fresh start, consult Luciana with their wishes.

• The film follows these clients as they embark on their prescribed journeys, whether physically traveling or recreating the destination at home.

• Their trips lead to unexpected transformations, humorous situations, and moments of self-discovery.

• Luciana's own personal desires and struggles are subtly explored, adding another layer to the narrative.

• The film blends documentary observation with fictionalized elements to explore themes of fate, desire, and transformation.

Director's Vision: Peter Kerekes, known for his hybrid documentary approach, set out to make an "Italian" film that captured passion, strong emotions, humor, and even Vespa motorcycles, despite being a Slovak director with a "melancholic Hungarian character and an ironic sense of humor." His goal was to combine the cinematic feel of fiction with the ability to capture real emotions from real people. He structured the film in multiple layers: the astrologer listening to wishes, the clients' contradictory daily lives, the magical birthday trips, and finally, Luciana's own struggles. Kerekes emphasizes the importance of coincidence, mirroring its role in life within the film. He aims for a "warm, eccentric, and frequently amusing" tone, using gentle compassion and a "playful, lighthearted" approach to explore his subjects' quests for happiness. The film's aesthetic, with its music, pays homage to classic Italian cinema, particularly the scores of Nino Rota for Fellini.

Themes:

• Fate vs. Free Will: The central tension of the film, exploring how much of our lives is determined by cosmic forces (astrology) versus our own choices and actions.

• The Pursuit of Happiness and Self-Discovery: The universal human desire to find contentment, love, and purpose, and the often quirky or unconventional paths people take to achieve it.

• The Power of Belief and Ritual: How belief systems, even those outside conventional science like astrology, can provide structure, hope, and impetus for personal change.

• Authenticity vs. Performance: The contrast between what clients reveal to Luciana and their actual daily lives, subtly probing the nature of self-presentation and genuine desire.

• Hybrid Realities: Kerekes' signature blending of documentary and fiction, reflecting the blurry lines between reality and the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of our lives.

• Aging and Dreams: The film touches on the dreams and desires of people at various stages of life, including Luciana herself, and how these evolve or persist over time.

Key Success Factors:

• Unique Concept: The premise of an astrologer sending clients on "birthday trips" for rebirth is highly original and engaging.

• Compelling Central Character: Luciana de Leoni D'Asparedo is a charismatic and intriguing figure who anchors the film.

• Hybrid Filmmaking Style: Kerekes' ability to seamlessly blend documentary realism with fictionalized elements creates a fresh and captivating viewing experience.

• Warmth and Humor: The film approaches its subjects with empathy and a gentle, often deadpan, humor that makes even the most unusual situations relatable.

• Beautiful Cinematography: Martin Kollar's cinematography captures both the charm of the Italian settings and the emotional landscapes of the characters.

• Festival Recognition: Its premiere at the Venice Film Festival (Orizzonti section) and subsequent screenings at major festivals like TIFF and CPH:DOX have garnered significant critical attention.

Summary Short: Peter Kerekes' "Wishing on a Star" is a charming 2024 docu-drama about a Neapolitan astrologer who sends clients on "birthday trips" worldwide for rebirth and happiness, blending humor and warmth as it explores fate and self-discovery.

Awards and Nominations:

• 81st Venice International Film Festival (2024): Premiered in the Orizzonti section. Nominated for Orizzonti Award for Best Film.

• Chicago International Film Festival (2024): Nominated for Gold Hugo for Best Documentary.

• Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival (2024): Peter Kerekes won Czech Joy: Best Czech Documentary Film.

• Sun in a Net Awards (Slovakia, 2025): Nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Documentary Feature.

Critics Reception: "Wishing on a Star" has received largely positive reviews from critics, praising its charm, originality, and empathetic approach.

• Screen International (Wendy Ide): Praised the film as "warm, eccentric and frequently amusing," noting its hybrid documentary nature.

• POV Magazine (Pat Mullen): Described it as "an offbeat journey that's as open of heart as it is of mind" and that Kerekes "captures the story with a great sense of play, offering moments of deadpan humour."

• Cineuropa (Martin Kudláč): Highlighted that "Kerekes' approach blends humour and empathy, offering a nuanced portrayal of his subjects' lives and their quest for happiness under Luciana's astrological guidance."

• The Film Verdict (Carmen Gray): Called it "a playful, lighthearted hybrid doc... on steering one's fate, as an Italian astrologer sends her troubled clients off globetrotting."

• IMDb (Review for "The Geography of Human Destiny"): Noted that it "combines the old practice of astrology with the modern desire to travel, creating an unexpected reflection on human longing and the geography of hope."

Reviews (Overall Summary): Critics have widely embraced "Wishing on a Star" for its unique and charming premise, its seamless blend of documentary and fiction, and its heartwarming portrayal of human desires. Reviewers consistently highlight the film's gentle humor, empathetic approach to its subjects, and the captivating presence of Luciana, the astrologer. While some noted it might be less socio-politically "meaty" than Kerekes' previous works, it is celebrated for its inventive storytelling and its insightful, if whimsical, exploration of the universal quest for happiness and self-transformation.

Box Office: "Wishing on a Star" is a co-production between Italy, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, and Croatia, with a distribution strategy primarily focused on festival runs and eventually limited theatrical releases followed by streaming. As of mid-2025, IMDb reports a modest worldwide gross of around $10,272, which is typical for art-house documentaries that gain their audience through festivals and niche distribution.

Production: "Wishing on a Star" is a multi-national co-production. Development of the film began in 2019. It was filmed in Italian, primarily in Italy, but also includes segments shot in various international locations depending on the "birthday trips." The film runs for 99 minutes. Peter Kerekes co-wrote the screenplay with Erica Barbiani.

Production Companies:

• Videomante (Italy)

• Kerekesfilm (Slovakia)

• Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS) (Slovakia)

• Artcam Films (Czech Republic)

• Mischief Films (Austria)

• Restart (Croatia)

• Volos Films (Taiwan) - also involved, indicating wider international collaboration.

Sales Companies:

• Films Boutique (Germany) - Handles world sales.

Distribution Companies:

• 01 Distribution (Italy) - Likely for Italian theatrical release.

• Other distributors for various territories are being secured after its festival run.

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

Theatrical Release:

• World Premiere: August 31, 2024, at the 81st Venice International Film Festival (Orizzonti section).

• Slovakia: September 26, 2024.

• Italy: January 17, 2025.

• It has since screened at numerous other international festivals including Toronto (North American Premiere), CPH:DOX, Tallinn Black Nights, Rotterdam, and Trieste.

Why to Recommend This Movie:

• For Fans of Quirky, Heartwarming Stories: If you enjoy films that celebrate human eccentricity and the pursuit of dreams with a gentle touch.

• Unique Blend of Documentary and Fiction: It's a fascinating example of hybrid cinema, blurring genres to tell a compelling story about real people.

• Visually and Emotionally Engaging: The film offers beautiful shots of Italy and other locales, coupled with insightful and often humorous character studies.

• Thought-Provoking Themes: It subtly explores questions of destiny, personal agency, and the power of belief in shaping one's life.

• Acclaimed Director's Latest Work: Peter Kerekes continues to impress with his distinctive style and empathetic storytelling.

Why to Watch Movie:

• If you're curious about astrology and its real-world impact: The film offers a unique perspective on how people engage with and use such practices.

• To experience a charming and uplifting film: Despite moments of melancholy, the overall tone is optimistic and celebrates the human spirit.

• For a fresh take on the "journey of self-discovery" narrative: The "birthday trip" concept provides a creative framework for personal transformation.

• If you appreciate films that explore the lives of ordinary people in extraordinary ways: Kerekes excels at finding universal truths in specific individual stories.

• To see how different cultures approach hope and desire: The diverse backgrounds of Luciana's clients add a rich, multicultural dimension.

What Movie Trend Film is Following:

• "Hybrid Documentary/Docu-Drama": Peter Kerekes is a master of this form, blending factual observations with narrative techniques or fictionalized elements to create a more compelling or emotionally resonant story. This trend seeks to explore reality in a nuanced way that goes beyond traditional documentary formats.

What Big Social Trend is Following:

• "The Wellness & Self-Improvement Boom (Holistic & Alternative Paths)": The film taps into the widespread social trend of individuals seeking personal growth, well-being, and self-improvement through various means, including alternative and holistic practices like astrology. It reflects a growing openness to non-traditional methods for finding happiness, purpose, and navigating life's challenges in an increasingly complex world.

Final Verdict: "Wishing on a Star" is a delightful and insightful film that reinforces Peter Kerekes' reputation as a master of hybrid cinema. With its charming central character, inventive narrative structure, and a warm, empathetic tone, it offers a fresh and often humorous look at the universal human desire for happiness and change. It's a testament to the power of belief, the resilience of the human spirit, and the subtle magic that can be found in both grand journeys and everyday life. While it may not offer groundbreaking revelations about astrology, it delivers a heartfelt and engaging exploration of what it means to truly wish on a star and strive for a new beginning.

Recommendations for Filmmakers:

• Embrace Hybrid Forms: Don't be afraid to blur the lines between fiction and non-fiction. This can allow for more emotional depth and creative storytelling while maintaining a sense of authenticity.

• Find Compelling Real-Life Characters: Peter Kerekes excels at identifying fascinating individuals whose lives naturally lend themselves to compelling narratives. Invest time in research and building trust with your subjects.

• Use Humor to Humanize: Even when dealing with serious themes, injecting gentle humor can make characters more relatable and the film more accessible and endearing.

• Let Coincidence Be a Character: As Kerekes states, allow for the unexpected and the "magical" coincidences that often occur in real life to inform your narrative.

• Explore Universal Themes Through Specific Lenses: By focusing on the very particular practice of Luciana's astrology, Kerekes illuminates universal human desires and struggles.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Support Hybrid Cinema: Encourage and fund films that push the boundaries of genre and form, as they often offer fresh perspectives and artistic innovation.

• Invest in Character-Driven Documentaries: Films that deeply explore unique individuals and their personal journeys can be incredibly impactful and find appreciative audiences.

• Recognize the Appeal of "Feel-Good" Arthouse: Not all arthouse films need to be bleak or challenging. There's a strong audience for intelligent, empathetic films that leave viewers with a sense of hope or warmth.

• Develop Niche Distribution Strategies: For films that don't fit the blockbuster mold, effective targeted distribution through festivals, specialized cinemas, and curated streaming platforms is key to reaching their audience.

• Promote Diverse Cultural Stories: Showcase films from various countries and cultures to enrich the global cinematic landscape and offer audiences different perspectives on universal human experiences.