Troubled youths, desperate parents, and crossroads in life are the main themes of the Italian Cinema Now, a four-day film festival at the Cinematheque Center Manila on April 23-26.

The gala tonight at 7:30 p.m. will feature the period film, “Una Questione Privata (Rainbow: A Private Affair).”

Set in World War II in Piedmont, Italy, the love story is about a member of the Italian Resistance movement whose girlfriend is having an affair with his colleague. The protagonist searches for his rival in the Langhe region, but is caught by fascists.

To grace the gala are prominent Italian personalities—actor Lorenzo Richelmy, the star of “Una Questiona Privata”; Agostino Ferrente, director of “Selfie”; award-winning documentary producer-directors Luca Bellini and Silvia Luzi; actress Federica Sabatini; and Mario Sesti, film critic, cinema scholar, and artistic director of the Rome Film Festival.

Here is the schedule for the three days of screening:
April 24, 5 p.m. “Manuel, Il Figlio”—This coming-of-age story follows an 18-year-old boy whose mother is imprisoned and he’s put in foster care. He leaves his adopted family, returns to his old home and proves to authorities that he can look after his mother who is now under house arrest.
April 24, 7 p.m. “Selfie”— Two homeless 16-year-olds move to a ghetto in Naples and document their lives in their tough neighborhood, using their smartphones. They capture the killing of a 16-year-old neighbor who’s been mistaken for a wanted criminal.
April 25, 11 a.m. “Omaggio a Bernardo Bertolucci (The Dreamers)”—Two siblings and an American student stay in an apartment without any guardian. Disregarding rules and morals, they start exploring their feelings and sexuality. The story is set against the student riots in Paris in 1968.

April 25, 5 p.m. “Saremo Giovanni E Bellisimi (We’ll Be Young and Beautiful)”—A singer, famous in the ’90s, becomes impoverished. She tries to rebuild her career with her son, who is now her guitarist. The mother becomes very attached to him, but the son wants to break off to pursue a different musical path.

April 25, 7 p.m. “Il Catrere (Crater)”—In a forsaken country, a father exploits his daughter and her beautiful voice to get him out of his rut.

April 26, 3 p.m. “C’E Tempo”—This buddy movie is about a midlifer and a young nerd who take a journey together along the Italian highways. They learn from each other’s experiences which changes their perspectives.

April 26, 5 p.m. “Troppa Grazia (Lucia’s Grace)”—A single mother who works as a land surveyor discovers that a building construction is environmentally hazardous. She risks her job to tell the truth.

April 26, 7 p.m. “La Paranza Dei Bambini (Piranhas)”—A group of 15-year-olds hankering for money, designer clothes and scooters engage in criminal activities. Their recklessness leads to severe consequences on their friendship and lives.

All the films have English subtitles.

The film festival is organized by Playtown Roma Cultural Association, an organization that aims to promote independent films to a new audience. The event is in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, Embassy of Italy, Italian Trade Agency, Dalla Parte Di Chi Crea, Philippine Italian Association and Film Development Council of the Philippines. —CONTRIBUTED

Free admission to screenings, Cinematheque, 855 Kalaw St. Ermita, Manila.