(AGI) - Rome, Italy, Sep. 30, 2004 -

"Le chiavi di casa" (House Keys), by Gianni Amelio is Italy's candidate to the Oscars as best foreign movie.

The decision was made by a panel of 711 cinema and cultural personalities.

Amelio is hence rewarded for having failed the ultimate prize in Venice this year.

"Le chiavi di casa" beat "Non ti muovere" by Sergio Castellitto.

Nominations are scheduled January 25, 2005: the last time Italy got a nomination through was five years ago with Roberto Benigni's "La vita e' bella".

This is the fourth time Amelio has a movie short-listed for the Oscars: the other three were "Lamerica" (1994), "Il ladro di bambini" (1992) and "Porte aperte" (1990).

The latter was the only one of the three to make to last five nominations.

The movie is based on "Nati due volte" (Born Again) by Giuseppe Pontiggia, winner of the Campiello award in 2001. The movie is produced by Rai Cinema, and is distributed by "01 Distribution", screenplay by Sandro Rulli, Stefano Patraglia and Gianni Amelio.

"Le chiavi di casa" is about rekindled love between a young father and his disabled son who had been left with his aunt and uncle after the mother died giving birth.

Gianni, the father is played by Kim Rossi Stuart, and Paolo, the son is played by Andrea Rossi. The two meet up 15 years later in Berlin during specialist checkups and day by day work around reconstructing the years spent apart during a trip in Norway. A tale of hurt, joy, mystery and laughter.

Star actors include Charlotte Rampling, Pierfrancesco Favino and Alla Faerovich.

Runners up to Italian nominations included all movies released between October last year and September 27 this year. (AGI) -

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