Exclusive Trailer for Venice Premiere: The Cat Awakens and Yawns; Subsequently, Love Searches for Meaning in Rome.

      Premiering at Venice's Giornate degli Autori (or Venice Days), which runs from September 2 to 12, Federico Francioni and Samuele Sestieri’s film Si sveglia e sbadiglia, il gatto; poi l’amore (The Cat Wakes Up And Yawns; Then Love) explores three months in the life of an actress seeking meaning amidst the chaos of Rome. In advance of its premiere, we are excited to exclusively present the first trailer and poster.

      Featuring Carlotta Velda Mei, Stefano Andrea Macchi, Alessandro Colombo, Laura Sinceri, Fabrizio Ciavoni, Laura Nardi, Nikolai Selikovsky, and Mauro Santini, the film is summarized as follows: “Three months in Chiara's life, an actress approaching forty who grapples with finding her place in a bustling, tourist-laden Rome. Invisible, precarious, and perpetually in motion, she wanders from one encounter to another in a desperate quest for something that truly makes her feel alive.”

      The directors remarked, “This film emerged from an unstable and precarious daily reality: our own. In an increasingly ruthless Rome, we aimed to give form to the nightmares, fears, and premonitions that plague us. It’s a collective act of exorcism, experienced alongside our lead actress, Carlotta Velda Mei, who embodies the vibrant yet crumbling city. Carlotta transforms into Chiara, a woman on the verge of forty, compelled to adapt for survival, degraded by a world unable to create meaning. We sought a fissure within the present’s fabric, envisioning an adventurous, picaresque film influenced by algorithms, bold slogans, and AI-degenerated visuals.”

      They continued, “We aspired to create a fierce film, distinct from the production trends of contemporary Italian cinema. No pitching forums or script labs – just sixty-five shooting days over a year, a pirate crew, and a cast of friends. We reconnected with the joy of storytelling, of filmmaking together, and of sharing our viewpoint on this historical period. In our own unique way, we endeavored to embrace freedom.”

      Watch the exclusive trailer and view the poster below: