Prolific Turkish-Italian director Ferzan Ozpetek’s female-centric ensemble drama “Diamonds” is fast becoming Italy’s first standout title of 2025. The film has scored sales in some 40 territories while becoming the country’s No. 1 local box office draw so far this year.
“Diamonds,” which is set both in the present day and in the 1970s, revolves around the life and love affairs of a group of warmhearted women who work in a large Rome cinema costume company run by two sisters “who are as different as they are close,” as the synopsis puts it.
Hailed by Italian critics as a love letter to women, the art of costume design and the emotional power of cinema, “Diamonds” has been shining locally, pulling more than $15 million – and counting – at the Italian box office since its Dec. 19 theatrical release via Vision Distribution.
The film’s ensemble cast includes Luisa Ranieri, who played the emotionally troubled Aunt Patrizia in Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Hand of God”; Italian A-lister Jasmine Trinca (“La Storia”), who was on the Cannes jury in 2022; and Kasia Smutniak (“Domina”).
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“Diamonds” is the 15th feature from the popular helmer, who is known for commercially successful pics such as “Ignorant Fairies” and “Loose Cannons.” It has become Ozpetek’s biggest local hit and is now also scoring a slew of international sales.
The roughly 40 countries with which Vision Distribution has closed deals on “Diamonds” comprise Spain (A contracorriente); Portugal; (Outsider); Poland (Bestfilm Co.); Japan (Child film ); Taiwan (Swallow Wings Films); Switzerland (MFD); Lettonia-Lituania-Estonia (Bestfilm.eu); LATAM-Argentina, Bolivia, Cile, Colombia, Ecuador, Messico, Paraguay, Perú, Uruguay and Venezuela (CDI Films); Israel (New Cinema); Bulgaria (Beta film); and Turkey (Depo Films).
“I am extremely gratified by this enormous interest at an international level,” Ozpetek said in a statement. “What is happening around ‘Diamonds’ stands as testimony to being able to successfully cater to a wide audience while at the same time gaining critical recognition.”
He added, “I’m happy to now begin the journey that will see me accompany the film and meet audiences in so many international territories in the coming months.”
“Diamonds” will have its festival launch at the Barcelona Film Festival next month with the director in tow.
The film is produced by Marco Belardi’s Greenboo Production, Faros Film and Vision Distribution, in collaboration with Sky. Vision Distribution is handling international sales.