The Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis/St. Paul

Log in

Films are a big part of the Italian cultural experience and are deeply woven in the country’s history. Since the development of the Italian film industry in the early 1900s, Italian filmmakers and performers have enjoyed great international acclaim and have influenced film movements throughout the world. Launched in 2009, our annual Italian Film Festival of Minneapolis / St. Paul presents a series of outstanding contemporary films along with timeless classics. Through the lens of drama, comedies and documentaries, our movies offer a new perspective on the country and its people. Take a journey to Italy without leaving Minnesota.

Pictures by Lisa Venticinque - More here

PRESS:

February 2026:
CINECITTA NEWS Minneapolis, il cinema italiano torna nel cuore del Midwest - English translation
STAR TRIBUNE The 13 best things to do and see in the Twin Cities this week
RACKET This Week's Best Events

March 2026:
CINECITTA' NEWS Da Open Roads a Minneapolis: Richard Peña e il cinema italiano che ispira gli USA - English translation
LINKIESTA Il Minneapolis Italian Film Festival celebra Roma Città Aperta come manifesto di resistenza - Linkiesta.it - English translation

Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

SPECIAL SCREENING of RISO AMARO, directed by Giuseppe De Santis

When
26 Aug 2026

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Location
The Heights Theater: 3951 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421

The Italian Film Festival of Minneapolis / St. Paul (IFF), the Italian Cultural Center's signature annual event, celebrates the best of contemporary and classic Italian cinema each year. In addition to IFF and the Center's ongoing Cineforum series, IFF also presents special screenings throughout the year in partnership with local theaters and community organizations. Following the wonderful success of our March presentation of Stromboli, we are delighted to continue the series with Giuseppe De Santis's acclaimed classic Riso Amaro (Bitter Rice) on Wednesday, August 26, in partnership with Archives on Screen, Twin Cities, at the historic Heights Theater.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

ABOUT THE FILM

Female rice workers in Northern Italy's Po Valley battle heat, exhaustion, and homicidal lust in this neorealist-ish pulpy melodrama. Jewel thief Francesca (Doris Dowling) escapes the police by hiding out among the rice harvesters, befriending Silvana (Silvana Mangano) until her ex-accomplice Walter (Vittorio Gassman) arrives on the scene. Solidarity between documented and undocumented female workers is needed to fight abusive bosses, manipulative male lovers, and a rice heist that would rob the women of their meager wages. This steamy classic is the perfect screening for late August!

Show details