A special evening took place yesterday, Monday 17 March, at the ‘F.C. Internazionale’ sports centre in Appiano Gentile, where the National Team met the directors and cast of the film ‘U.S. PALMESE’. It provided a unique opportunity to emphasise how football serves as a universal language, capable of inspiring and uniting, both on the pitch and in cinema.

The Manetti Bros., together with actors Rocco Papaleo and Blaise Afonso and producers Pier Giorgio Bellocchio (Mompracem), Paolo Del Brocco (Rai Cinema CEO) and Nicola Claudio (Rai Cinema President), were welcomed by the National Team Delegation Head Gianluigi Buffon, Head Coach Luciano Spalletti and Captain Gianluigi Donnarumma.

After an exciting shirt exchange, the directors and the main actors presented the film to the team, who then had the opportunity to watch it in advance. A moment that highlighted the value of football not only as a sport but also as a tale of life, passion and determination.

“It was an honour to present a film about football to the National Team, a story that showcases the emotions and humanity of its characters through comedy while placing life, relationships between people and loyalty above glory and success. My thanks go to the Italian Football Federation, President Gravina, Head Coach Spalletti and Delegation Head Buffon, who allowed us to organise this wonderful meeting. For all of us – producers, directors, and actors – it was a joy to witness the team get so involved during the film screening. A special thanks to a great artist like Rocco Papaleo, who was visibly moved in the presence of the Azzurri,” said Rai Cinema CEO Paolo Del Brocco.

“We are happy and proud to have been able to present U.S. PALMESE, our beloved film, about somewhat ‘unrefined’ provincial football to the Italian National Football Team, which represents the pinnacle of Italian football. It was a warm and friendly meeting, and we hope it brings great luck for the film’s release in theatres on 20 March,” said Mompracem producer Pier Giorgio Bellocchio.

Filled with emotion and joy, U.S. PALMESE is a true football fairy tale where heartbeats intertwine with the desire to believe in dreams. The cast includes Rocco Papaleo, Blaise Afonso, Giulia Maenza, Lisa Do Couto Teixeira, Max Mazzotta, Massimo De Lorenzo, Gianfelice Imparato, Massimiliano Bruno, Guglielmo Favilla, Aurora Calabresi, Giuseppe Futia, Mario Russo, Luca Attadia, Salvatore Costa, Antonio Di Turi, Adriano Fedele, Guillaume De Tonquedec and Claudia Gerini.

U.S. PALMESE is produced by Pier Giorgio Bellocchio, the Manetti Bros. and Carlo Macchitella. A Mompracem production with Rai Cinema (with the support of the Calabria Film Commission and in association with Loka Film), it will be released in theatres on 20 March and distributed by 01 Distribution.

Written by the Manetti Bros. themselves together with Emiliano Rubbi and Luna Gualano, the film premiered at the 19th Rome Film Festival and featured at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.