Christian De Sica and Lillo Petrolo come together for the first time on screen in the unique Christmas comedy, Cortina Express, set to be released on December 23. Directed by Eros Puglielli and written by Tommaso Renzoni, this film promises to add freshness to the holiday film genre, blending comedy with unexpected elements.
De Sica expresses his enthusiasm for the project: "Cortina Express has brought real freshness because it gave it a totally unique swing and twist." He is particularly delighted to return to comedic cinema after working on more serious projects like Un altro Ferragosto and I limoni d’inverno. The actor described his desire to create films for families and remarked, "I wanted to make a family film, for everyone, especially one to be shown in theaters."
For both De Sica and Petrolo, Cortina Express serves as more than just another film; it’s a celebration of the cinepanettone tradition. Despite being rooted in this genre, De Sica clarifies, "It's not just another cinepanettone; it’s simply a Christmas movie." He is proud of his contributions to the genre, acknowledging how those films made him popular and helped shape his career.
The appeal of Cortina Express also lies heavily on the dynamic chemistry between its lead actors. De Sica mentions experiencing such magic only twice before with co-stars Massimo Boldi and Carlo Verdone, making this collaboration with Petrolo particularly special. Petrolo affectionately agrees, stating, "You can put two extraordinary actors together, but it doesn’t mean they will have the chemistry Christian talks about." He celebrates De Sica's comic timing, adding to the conversational tone they developed on set.
Filming was met with laughter, creating memorable experiences during production. Long takes were often interrupted by the actors' infectious humor. Petrolo explains how the atmosphere of laughter indicates successful comedic timing, saying, "If the operator laughs, you can be sure it’s working." This lighthearted environment contributed immensely to the creation process.
With Cortina Express, audiences can expect not just mere entertainment but a heartfelt homage to family and laughter as the Christmas season approaches. De Sica remains hopeful about the film’s message and its ability to engage audiences, reaffirming the importance of bringing families back to theaters.
Both actors advocate for the significance of stories shared during special occasions like the holidays. Their goal with Cortina Express is to conjure warmth and joy reminiscent of togetherness and celebration, ideals central to the holiday spirit.
