Canadian Premiere
With verve and wit, director Margherita Vicario brings contemporary pop to 17th century Italy. This counter-historical film gives us the young women of Sant’Ignazio, a Catholic orphanage run by the ogre-like chapel master Father Perlina (Paolo Rossi). He’s taught his female charges music, and their weekly orchestral performances are one of the few pleasures they’re granted. Inspired by young Teresa (Galatea Bellugi), who seizes on the new-fangled pianoforte Perlina has consigned to the basement, the orchestra starts to defy their master, making pop music in secret. As Perlina prepares for a visit from the Pope, the orchestra changes its aesthetic, and the stage is set for a raucous musical rebellion…
This cheeky, delightfully inventive film addresses the dark, repressive past with a subversive spirit. Perlina is patriarchy personified, and Teresa makes for a great, liberated heroine. Gloria! offers the pleasures of strong characterization, fine acting, and catchy storytelling. Last but not least: its music, written by Davide Pavanello and Vicario herself, is rousing and delectable.
Grand Jury Prize: Official Competition, Seattle 2024
Galatéa Bellugi, Carlotta Gamba, Veronica Lucchesi, Maria Vittoria Dallasta, Sara Mafodda
Italy/Switzerland
2024
In Italian with English subtitles
At Vancouver Playhouse
At Fifth Avenue
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Director
Producer
Valeria Jamonte, Manuela Melissano, Carlo Cresto-Dina, Paolo del Brocco
Screenwriter
Anita Rivaroli, Margherita Vicario
Cinematography
Gianluca Rocco Palma
Editor
Christian Marsiglia
Production Design
Luca Servino, Susanna Abenavoli
Original Music
Margherita Vicario, Davide Pavanello
Margherita Vicario
Born in 1988, Margherita Vicario is an actress and singer-songwriter who graduated from the European Academy of Dramatic Art. She released her debut EP Esercizi Preparatori and album Minimal Musical during her studies. Her thesis focused on Brecht’s use of popular music in political theater. In 2014, she toured with LEM LEM. Vicario released her second album, Bingo, in 2021 and collaborated with artists like Francesco Guccini and Elodie. In 2023, she co-wrote music and directed her first feature film, Gloria!
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Romería
An orphan from a young age, 18-year-old Marina intends to pursue a university scholarship. The application, however, requires the signatures of her paternal grandparents, compelling her to embark on a pilgrimage and seek out the family she has never met.
The Crying Game
Notwithstanding its famous twist, Neil Jordan's moody thriller works differently on a second viewing, and hits different in 2026, with its rich and "problematic" stew of identity politics, love, violence and desire.
One False Move
Billy Bob Thornton and his partners in crime (Michael Beach, and Cynda Williams) hightail it out of Los Angeles with a trunk-ful of dope, but drive into a world of trouble. This unjustly forgotten thriller will keep you on your toes.
