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2012

international competition

The Butterfly Room

Zarantonello Jonathan

Italy, 2012, 87', Swiss Premiere

The movie

Julie, a lonely child, goes to her elderly neighbour Ann for tutoring sessions. An immediate connection, similar to a mother / daughter relationship, is formed between the two characters. While it’s true that Ann may seem a bit odd – especially with her obsessive passion for butterflies, which she keeps in a secret room in her flat – Julie starts to become truly frightened of the old lady as her behaviour towards her becomes increasingly aggressive. When she discovers that Ann has already had a similar relationship with another young girl, who mysteriously disappeared, she seeks help. But no-one takes her seriously... An impressive comeback by the cult heroine Barbara Steele! Since making her career debut more than 50 years ago in Mario Bava’s masterpiece Revenge of the V ampire, she has lost nothing of her disturbing on-screen presence. And she excels in the role of an elderly, cantankerous and sophisticated middle-class lady. With a mood inspired by the very best films of the giallo genre, The Butterfly Room portrays women in all their guises. Simply sublime. INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION COMPETITION PRIX RTS


Award :

Youth Award

World Sales :

Jonathan Zarantonello

producers :

Swiss premiere

cast :

Erica Leerhsen, Heather Langenkamp, Barbara Steele, Ray Wise

Crew :
  • Scriptwriter : Paolo Guerrieri, Luigi Sardiello, Jonathan Zarantonello
  • Editor : Clelio Benevento
  • Music : Aldo De Scalzi
  • Cinematographer : Andrew Strahorn