La Bella Vita di Veronique (2024)
Short film written & directed by Valeria Kitsina.
TAGLINE
"When running away catches up with you..."
Synopsis
"La Bella Vita di Veronique" is an emotional drama that follows Veronique, an introspective and resilient woman in her early 30s, as she seeks a fresh start in Florence, Italy. Beneath the facade of her seemingly perfect life, Veronique hides deep loneliness and a yearning for genuine connection. Caught between fulfilling her father’s emotional needs and her desire to live life on her own terms, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. As her day unfolds, a series of emotionally charged phone calls force her to confront her fears and deep-seated desires. With pressure mounting, will Veronique find the courage to forge her own path and create the life she truly desires?
Director
Valeria Kitsina
Genre
Drama
Producer
Valeria Kitsina
Screenplay by
Valeria Kitsina
Director of Photography
Lena Cortes
Key cast
Eva Oskarsdottir as "Veronique"
Running time
14 min
Languages
English, Italian, Russian
Filming location
Florence, Italy
Official Trailer
La Bella Vita di Veronique | Official Trailer HD (2024)
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Official Posters
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Still Photography
Key Cast
- Eva OskarsdottirActress - "Veronique"Eva Oskarsdottir is an Icelandic actress and producer based in Vienna, Austria. She trained at Ivana Chubbuck’s Studio and Clayton Acting Studio in LA and had Meisner Technique, Grotowski, Gister and Commedia Dell’Art, training in Europe. Her films “Angels Never Cry” (2019), which was officially selected at the Salento International Film Festival, and “The Darker The Lake” (2022) are available on Amazon Prime.
The series pilot
“Hot Mess” (2022), which Eva co-produced and plays “Barbara the Gynaecologist” was one of the officially selected series pilot at the Downtown LA Film festival (DTLA) & the Big Apple Film Festival (BAFF) to name a few.
The House of European History Talk Series “A Roma Family Through European History” (2020) was her directorial debut.
Eva just finished filming two films (2024), “La Bella Vita di Veronique & “Quite D6”, in Florence, Italy.
- IMDb
- Instagram
- LinkedIn
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From the moment I read the script I felt this deep connection with Veronique. It felt
like she was me and I was her. It even went so far that few days before the shoot I
found myself lying on the floor riddle with so much doubt and fear that I couldn’t stop
crying. That’s where I understood that Veronique’s story needed to be told no matter
what. Life can be so beautiful but as we all know also painful. To me real heroes are
those that quietly stand up again and again no matter how hard life has hit them. Yes,
sometimes it takes longer than we would like to stand up again but that’s human.
Veronique is with all her strength moving on and I admire her for that.
In the environment Valeria created during filming I felt save to fully immerse myself in
Veronique. Valeria had a clear vision of what she wanted and directed with so much
love and respect.
Working on "La Bella Vita di Veronique" was an eye-opening experience for me and
showed me how I want to continue working in the future.
like she was me and I was her. It even went so far that few days before the shoot I
found myself lying on the floor riddle with so much doubt and fear that I couldn’t stop
crying. That’s where I understood that Veronique’s story needed to be told no matter
what. Life can be so beautiful but as we all know also painful. To me real heroes are
those that quietly stand up again and again no matter how hard life has hit them. Yes,
sometimes it takes longer than we would like to stand up again but that’s human.
Veronique is with all her strength moving on and I admire her for that.
In the environment Valeria created during filming I felt save to fully immerse myself in
Veronique. Valeria had a clear vision of what she wanted and directed with so much
love and respect.
Working on "La Bella Vita di Veronique" was an eye-opening experience for me and
showed me how I want to continue working in the future.
Director's Biography
Valeria Kitsina
"My goal is to create stories that deeply resonate with audiences, offering experiences beyond mere entertainment, making viewers feel seen, understood, and profoundly moved"
Valeria is a rising filmmaker, whose journey started with a love for stage acting during her teenage years. This initial fascination soon evolved into a deeper love for writing and directing, leading her to hone her skills in visual storytelling in the New York Film Academy.
Her debut short, "La Bella Vita di Veronique" (2024), showcases her multifaceted talents as writer, director, producer, and editor. Shot in Florence, Italy, the film exemplifies her knack for capturing human experiences through cinematic language.
Currently, Valeria is writing her first feature film, collaborating with a diverse team of international filmmakers. Set to begin production next year, this project marks a pivotal moment in her career.
Valeria openly chronicles her filmmaking journey on her new Telegram channel, Cinema with a Capital "C", providing an unfiltered look at the obstacles and victories she faces as a rising filmmaker. From creating "La Bella Vita di Veronique" to navigating film festivals, she also explores and reviews the cinematic masterpieces that inspire her.
Her debut short, "La Bella Vita di Veronique" (2024), showcases her multifaceted talents as writer, director, producer, and editor. Shot in Florence, Italy, the film exemplifies her knack for capturing human experiences through cinematic language.
Currently, Valeria is writing her first feature film, collaborating with a diverse team of international filmmakers. Set to begin production next year, this project marks a pivotal moment in her career.
Valeria openly chronicles her filmmaking journey on her new Telegram channel, Cinema with a Capital "C", providing an unfiltered look at the obstacles and victories she faces as a rising filmmaker. From creating "La Bella Vita di Veronique" to navigating film festivals, she also explores and reviews the cinematic masterpieces that inspire her.
- Instagram
- Telegram Channel - Cinema with a capital "C"
- IMDb
Director's Statement
"La Bella Vita di Veronique" is a deeply personal project. I wrote it as a meditation on my life, reflecting on my past and present experiences. It explores the complexity beneath a polished exterior, featuring a protagonist who yearns for connection yet remains guarded due to past wounds.
At the heart of the film is Veronique's relationship with her father, a figure so dominant that he overshadows every aspect of her life. This dynamic highlights the stark contrast between her seemingly perfect exterior and the internal struggles she faces in her quest for independence.
The story follows Veronique at a critical juncture, questioning her sense of belonging and the very concept of home. It's an open-ended journey, leaving viewers to contemplate whether she will embrace new possibilities or retreat into familiar insecurities.
Crafting this film was a profoundly cathartic experience. It allowed me to examine my own experiences, present them honestly, and witness the compassion they evoked in others. This process has been not just creatively fulfilling, but personally transformative and healing.
Meet the Crew
- Lena CortesDirector of Photography
Lena is a multifaceted filmmaker with a particular passion for film editing. With her keen eye for detail, Lena brings a unique perspective to the role of DOP.
“Working with all these people from all around the world for months in Florence has been one of the best experiences of my life, and bringing Valeria’s delicate yet powerful vision to life as a DOP was a pleasure and a challenge that enriched me tremendously as a filmmaker. I will always go back to these days, fondly remembering every person and lesson as I move forward, hoping I will experience anything as wonderful again"
Visual Approach and Inspiration
Visually, the film adopts a mise-en-scène approach, reminiscent of an impressionist paintings. I drew significant inspiration from various artworks, particularly Edgar Degas's paintings such as "The Absinthe Drinker," "Woman with Chrysanthemums," and "Women on a Cafe Terrace."
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These works profoundly influenced my exploration of loneliness amidst crowds - a theme central to the film. This concept of isolation while surrounded by others is, to me, one of the most piercing experiences one can have, affecting body, mind, and spirit, and revealing profound truths about the human condition.
Costumes & Designers
Costumes by (left to right): 1) Bugaric (Goran Bugaric) & Linda Sekoll; 2) KLAR (Klara Neuber); 3) Linda Sekoll & KLAR (Klara Neuber)
Behind the Scenes
Special Thanks
Federico Spiazzi, Fabrizio Famà, Alessandro Farese, Diana Henry, Alberto Salvi, Leonardo Dolfi, Diana Santi, Lorenzo Della Ratta, Luiz Fernando Oliveira Miranda, Mher Gevorkjan, Larisa Kitsina, Georgy Kitsin, Nikita Tsarikov, Jonas Bloom, Marco & Paolo of Viktoria Lounge Bar in Florence, Alice Alba of Social Club in Florence.
Social Media
Contact
For all business and press inquiries as well as to request access to unreleased materials, kindly reach out to:
Email: labellavitadiveronique@gmail.com
Email: labellavitadiveronique@gmail.com
