Palermo Shooting is a 2008 film written and directed by German director Wim Wenders, and starring Campino, Dennis Hopper, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Lou Reed in his final feature film appearance, and an uncredited Milla Jovovich, also playing herself. It was screened at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.

Plot

A German photographer named Finn (Campino) comes to Palermo because he needs to make a clean break from his past. In the city, he meets a young woman named Flavia (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) and a completely different way of life.

Cast

Production

The is the first film directed by Wenders in his hometown, Düsseldorf. Filming also took place in the nearby cities of Essen and Neuss as well as in Palermo and other areas of Sicily.

Soundtrack

The film's original soundtrack includes songs from Beirut, Jason Collett, Portishead, Calexico, and Iron & Wine. It also features exclusive tracks from Grinderman, Bonnie Prince Billy, Matt Sweeney, and Sibylle Baier.

Release

On 24 May 2008, the film was screened at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. The film was released in Germany on 20 November 2008. The film had its U.S. premiere on 20 January 2009 at the Berlin and Beyond film festival at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. The closing titles contain a dedication to two directors who died on the same day, July 30, 2007, Ingmar Bergman and Michelangelo Antonioni, while filming was ongoing.

Reception

Peter Brunette of The Hollywood Reporter states, "Every time the film goes philosophical on us, the resulting dialogue is sententious and banal." Todd McCarthy of Variety said, "Although she can’t save the film from its own silliness, Mezzogiorno does provide a gravity and legitimacy of her own, as her mesmerizing eyes and her excellent delivery in English make a dramatic highlight out of a monologue about a personal tragedy, as well as showing up Campino for the non-actor he is." At the 2009 Sofia International Film Festival, the film won the Bourgas Municipality prize.