Citizens of the World

Citizens of the World

Lontano Lontano
Directed by Gianni de Gregorio
Italy | 2019 | Narrative
90 minutes | Italian

Gianni Di Gregorio, Italy’s laconic answer to Larry David, returns to the humanist comic territory of arthouse hits “Mid-August Lunch” and “The Salt of Life” with “Citizens of the World,” which offers a delightful reflection on life and warmly sympathetic characters. Three retirees decide to move away from Rome to find a better standard of living in Bulgaria, a country where their meager pensions will go that much further. As they plan for the trip, the trio trawl the pubs and restaurants of a sun-saturated Rome and discover that even at an old age they can still learn one or two lessons about themselves and life. London’s Time Out writes: “This sweet, meandering wisp of an Italian film salutes the well-meaning dreamers and schemers among us — those who conjure up big plans while eyeing up just one more drink at the bar. Rambling and conversational, ‘Citizens of the World’ is low-key but also undeniably heartwarming. It’s a gentle celebration of good company, good wine and good intentions.”