The first U.S. theatrical engagement for writer-director Giuseppe Tornatore's mystery-drama The Unknown Woman, (previously known as — no pun intended — The Unknown) will finally take place on May 30, 2008, at New York City's Angelika Film Center.
The Unknown Woman follows Irena, a mysterious Ukrainian woman (Xenia Rappoport) who finds work at the home of an affluent Italian family. While Irena does what she can to uncover the truth about the family, the past catches up with her.
The Unknown Woman was shortlisted for the 2008 best foreign-language film Oscar, but failed to make the final cut. Tornatore's drama, however, fared quite well with the Italian Academy, winning five David di Donatello awards: best film, best director, best actress, best score (Ennio Morricone, his eighth collaboration with Tornatore), and best cinematography (Fabio Zamarion).
Additionally, The Unknown Woman was the top choice of the Italian film critics and of the 2007 European Film Awards audience vote, and won Tornatore the best director prize at the 2007 Moscow Film Festival.
In addition to her David di Donatello win, Rappoport received a best actress nomination for the European Film Award. Variety called her performance "one of the most deeply nuanced film portraits of a woman who has lived through the hell of human slavery."
Also in the cast, Michele Placido, Margherita Buy, Pierfrancesco Favino, Clara Dossena, Claudia Gerini, and veteran Ángela Molina (one of the two "objects" in Luis Buñuel's last film, That Obscure Object of Desire).
Photo: Marta Spedaletti / © Outsider Pictures
Oscar Nominated Shorts at the American Cinematheque
Perhaps she does look like Swinton. Could also be your imagination…
Does this actress look like Tilda Swinton or is it just my imagination?
Giusepep Tornatore is one of my all-time favorite directors. I love "Cinema Paradise." I think I've watched it 100 times.