Holding Thumbs Productions, a female-run film production company, proudly announces the cinema release of their debut feature film (100 minutes) Trifole in Italy. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Langhe region of Piedmont, Trifole has been staff-picked by Vogue Italy as one of the best films coming out in October and featured in Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter. The film opened across 40 cinemas in Rome, Milan, and Turin on the 17 October 2024 and came in 14th at the box office out of 40 films that opened the same weekend.
About the Film Trifole
The Forgotten Roots is a modern fable about truffles, sustainability, and family. The English-Italian language adventure-drama is set in the Alba White Truffle region of Northern Italy, and tells the adventure of Dalia, a young woman looking for her own path, who reconnects with her ailing truffle-hunting grandfather, Igor, and nature. Eventually, she bonds with her grandfather and learns to value tradition, the territory, and a more sustainable way of life. Trifole is “A poetic and colourful fable that enchants and surprises.” - MyMovies.it
https://www.glamour.co.za/lifestyle/a-look-back-at-zeitz-mocaas-silo-centenary-celebrations-74b2aa5a-666f-457d-8add-d6c53654c07cAn International Collaboration
Holding Thumbs Productions, co-founded by Ydalie Turk and Casey Diepeveen, collaborated closely with director, Gabriele Fabbro, as Turk co-wrote and starred in the lead role of the film, and Diepeveen produced the film. The production of Trifole was led by an international team, including Italian producer, Mattia Puleo, American cinematographer, Brandon Lattman, and Italian production designer, Serena Viganò. The cast boasts legendary 90-year old Italian actor, Umberto Orsini as Igor, Italy’s most beloved actress Margherita Buy as Marta, as well as Francesco Zecca (White Lotus) and South African actress, Frances Sholto-Douglas (The Kissing Booth, Fatal Seduction, Black Mirror) in supporting roles.The film was made possible by the support of Film Commission Torino Piemonte.
In Rolling Stone Italia, regarding the writing process, Turk said, “I was interested in exploring the monetary and emotional value of the legacy and identity of truffle-hunting as a profession, but also of an entire territory that is very often associated with the white truffle. When I discovered the intensity and passion of these truffle-hunters, I was enchanted." Further, in relation to her character, Dalia; “I hope the movie resonates with young people," explains Turk. "We're facing a lot of existential uncertainty, and it results in disillusionment. I hope that the film serves as an antidote to these feelings.”
Producer, Casey Diepeveen says, “It’s incredible to think that just two years ago, Gabriele, Ydalie, and I connected over a Zoom call to embark on this magical story. I was excited to work with such a hungry, grounded creative team and to immerse myself in the culture of rural Northern Italy, particularly the outskirts of small towns and the secretive woods. More than that, the story about a grandaughter and grandfather building a relationship across different languages and experiences was intriguing, and exploring how Dalia learns how to ‘be’ in the silence, in nature, and in the world, deeply resonated with me”.
A Love Letter to Tradition and Sustainability
Shot on location in the Alba region, Trifole offers audiences an authentic experience into Italy’s truffle-hunting culture. The film’s partnership with Officine UBU as the distributor ensures its wide reach across Italy’s major cities, showcasing a unique, heartfelt narrative designed to resonate with audiences globally. Director Gabriele Fabbro says, “I wanted to tell a visually dynamic adventure that celebrates the value of family, heritage, and the importance of conserving nature. This story is a love letter to my grandfather, my heritage, and my homeland, Italy.” The film is set to release in the US in January 2025, stay tuned for details on our South African release thereafter.
