Rome 1943: four bizarre acrobats live a normal existence only because they are protected from the circus reality, being authentic freaks. They are Matilde (Aurora Giovinazzo), Cencio (Pietro Castellitto), Fulvio (Claudio Santamaria) and Mario (Giancarlo Martini). They perform in the circus of Israel (Giorgio Tirabassi), but when the impresario disappears, the four freaks have to escape and sleep around the bonfires. While the Nazis carry out bloody roundups, the youngest of the freaks reveals a special “power” (X-Men like). Then the partisans come into play…
«Freaks Out is one of a kind in Italian cinema». This is how Alberto Barbera, artistic director of the 78th Venice International Film Festival, presented Freaks Out, «Mainetti took quite a few years to complete this film after his dazzling debut They called him Jeeg Robot. Everyone was waiting for him at the gate, many rumors circulated about its complex and turbulent workmanship, but all curiosities will soon be satisfied. And I imagine that no one will be disappointed by the height of this movie’s ambitions, the productive dimension and by the fact that Mainetti, although very young, was able to do almost everything by himself».
Mainetti is a director, actor, producer, and composer, he attended courses in directing, direction of photography and screenwriting at Tisch School of the Arts NY, then began his career in 1998 in theatre and working as an actor. He directed the short film Tiger Boy (2013) winning many awards in festivals in Italy and abroad and reaching the Oscars shortlist for Live action short category. In 2015 They Called Him Jeeg Robot was successfully presented at the Rome Film Festival consecrating his visionary talent and cemented the partnership with screenwriter Nicola Guaglianone, his creative partner since The Producer (2004), the short film that started his directing career. Mainetti says that Freaks Out «arises from the challenge of setting a film in the background of the darkest page of the twentieth century. Freaks Out is both an adventure, a coming-of-age and last but not least a reflection on diversity. We approached the occupied Rome of 1943 with emotion and respect, but at the same time we gave free rein to our imagination».
FREAKS OUT
Italy / Belgium 2021. Directed by Gabriele Mainetti. With Claudio Santamaria, Aurora Giovinazzo, Pietro Castellitto, Giancarlo Martini, Giorgio Tirabassi, Max Mazzotta, Franz Rogowski. Lenght 141 ‘
Lucky Red, Goon Films with Rai Cinema, in coproduction with Gapbusters in collaboration with Voo and Be TV. 01 Distribution
