The Italian Actress
by Jody McAullife
adapted from the novel by Frank Lentricchia

A kinky meditation on our consuming fear of physical and spiritual decay, the story follows a video artist who attempts to reclaim his former glory by making the ultimate transgressive artwork: a snuff film. Oh, and he's platonically dating Italian sex symbol, Claudia Cardinale, with whom he experiences overwhelming performance anxiety. Like we said: kinky.

Directed by Dana Marks
Featuring Chris Burner, Lenore Field, Jay O'Berski, Michael O'Foghludha, Lucius Robinson and Meredith Sause.
With original filmed material by Jim Haverkamp.
Lighting Design by Steve Tell.
Postcard photography and design by Jason Arrol.

REVIEWS

"...the main achievement of The Italian Actress is its examination of a film artist whose alienation springs from never being able to get himself on the right side of the screen. Beautiful images, forever distanced, ultimately prove cold comfort for a man who can't stop adding to his collection of ghosts in this cautionary tale for those artists exclusively interested in the extreme."
Byron Woods, Independent Weekly, 09/23/09
Full review here

"[The Italian Actress] eloquently drives home the dilemma of what constitutes art."
Roy C. Dicks, News & Observer, 09/24/09
Full review here

VIDEO

"The Italian Actress" preview from Jim Haverkamp on Vimeo.

PHOTOS