saturday, March 21 / 4 pm / bytowne cinema

Program: Jazz Infernal, Primavera

Feature presentation \

This handsome period piece is set in early 18th century Venice in the famous Ospedale della Pietà orphanage for girls, renowned for its all-female musical ensembles. Financed by wealthy patrons, the orphanage is run by strict and demanding nuns. One of the orphans is Cecilia (a stunning performance by rising acting and musical star Tecla Insolia), a virtuoso violinist whose energy and spirit can scarcely be contained. She desperately longs to know about her origins and wants to know who her mother was, growing increasingly agitated by the strict confines of the orphanage. The only means of escape is through an arranged marriage with much older rich military officer and patron (Stefano Accorsi). But when a new composer is hired – a then unknown man named Antonio Vivaldi – everything changes for Cecilia. As their musical friendship grows, the fiercely independent Cecilia decides to scandalously scuttle the marriage, hoping that between her playing talents and the genius of Vivaldi’s compositions, she can escape her fate. It is a huge, courageous gamble. Having had its world premiere at TIFF, Primavera is a sumptuous historical drama filled that, along with sublime music, delivers a powerful tale of resistance. 

Tom McSorley

Short film \

Jazz Infernal

2025 / 16 minutes / Quebec
Director: Will Niava
Language: French
Subtitles: English

In Will Niava’s masterfully orchestrated jazz ride, Koffi, son of a legendary trumpet player, must confront the weight of his father’s legacy and leave the ghosts of Ivory Coast behind.