Compared to his tragic debut feature, Pallaoro’s recent work has been turning towards the light. A director with a keen ear for choosing music that fits the moment, he opens his new film with the electronic track Gosh - fitting, since this is a story about a musician. What first catches the eye is the striking cast. Alongside Luca Marinelli and Alicia Vikander, icons of both arthouse and mainstream cinemas, it’s especially welcome to see Susan Sarandon, who has resumed working in Europe. In recent years, Pallaoro has worked with such formidable actors as Charlotte Rampling and Patricia Clarkson, and here Sarandon brings a commanding presence to the film. The film is based on a work left behind by Bertolucci after his death, and faithfully realizes, as he had intended, a chamber drama unfolding within a confined space. As a drugaddicted music producer, a physical therapist, and a veteran singer move in and out of a luxury apartment, becoming echoes of one another, the result is something like a psychological drama in the vein of Chungking Express.
Andrea Pallaoro was born in Trento, Italy in 1982. After studying film at Hampshire College and the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), he now works between Los Angeles and New York. He first made his mark with his 2013 feature debut, Medeas, invited to the Orizzonti section at Venice. In 2017, Hannah, starring Charlotte Rampling, won the Coppa Volpi at Venice′s main competition and was also nominated for a César Award. In 2022, he returned to Venice with Monica, completing a trilogy exploring abandonment and isolation. The Echo Chamber, based on the unfinished screenplay Bernardo Bertolucci was working on before his passing, was invited to the main competition at the Venice Film Festival.
From Busan International Film Festival 2026, No. 31
