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The cinepanettoni (sg.: cinepanettone) are a series of farcical comedy films, one or two of which are typically released annually in Italy during the Christmas period. The films were originally produced by Aurelio De Laurentiis' Filmauro studio. [1]
Starting in 1983, some farcical or comic movie were released every year around Christmas time in Italy, and were known as cinepanettoni, a portmanteau of Italian: cine for "cinema", and panettone is a type of sweet bread traditionally eaten at Christmas.
These films are usually focused on the holidays of stereotypical Italians: bungling, wealthy and presumptuous members of the middle class who visit famous, glamorous or exotic places. Films were set, for example, in the Netherlands (Merry Christmas, 2001), Egypt (Christmas in Egypt – Natale sul Nilo, 2002), India (Christmas in India – Natale in India, 2003), America (Christmas in Miami , 2005, or Christmas in New York , 2006), and Cortina d'Ampezzo (Christmas holidays in Cortina – Vacanze di Natale a Cortina, 2011). Directors included Carlo Vanzina, Enrico Oldoini, and Neri Parenti. [2]
Many of the screenplays are not related to Christmas, other than those set in Italy.
The protagonists (almost always Massimo Boldi and Christian De Sica) joined by other comic couples (Sabrina Ferilli, Ricky Memphis, Biagio Izzo, Alberto Sordi, Claudio Bisio, Alessandro Gassmann, Michelle Hunziker, Ezio Greggio) and international guests (Danny DeVito, Luke Perry, Ronn Moss) find themselves struggling with their holidays and the various messes that combine abroad. The children of these will often be the only ones able to solve the complicated situations created by their own fathers, who do nothing but get involved in intrigues with the underworld or love affairs.
Italian critics[ who? ] have often considered such films of little ethical or educational value, because they contain large amounts of scurrilous and vulgar phrases and characters providing a bad example of education to young viewers. It often happens in stories that characters played by De Sica and Boldi, mature and elderly people, loom too large on the scene, preventing younger actors from making a mark. Other critics have noted that this line of films, including the authors, actors and directors, represented and emphasized the era and the power of Silvio Berlusconi, and the ideals of his supporters. [3]
Despite their poor critical reception, by 2002, the films had grossed 700 billion lire ($350 million). [1]
Italy 
Switzerland Switzerland 
United States Italy 
Netherlands 
Egypt 
India Switzerland United States United States 
Dominican Republic 
Brazil United States 
South Africa Italy Dominican Republic 
Mars 
Aurelio De Laurentiis is an Italian film producer. He owns the film production company Filmauro and the Italian football club Napoli.
Massimo Antonio Boldi is an Italian stand-up comedian and actor.
Vacanze di Natale is a 1983 Italian Christmas comedy film directed by Carlo Vanzina. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival.
Natale a Rio is a 2008 Italian cinepanettone directed by Neri Parenti with Christian De Sica. The film has grossed €24,678,792 in Italy. It is the third film starring De Sica without mate Massimo Boldi, his shoulder of honor in these films that make up the saga of Italian "cinepanettoni". In fact, in 2006 they were separated in film roles following a dispute.
Paolo Ruffini is an Italian actor, film director and television presenter.
Andrea Roncato is an Italian actor, comedian and television personality.
Vacanze di Natale '95 is a 1995 Italian comedy film directed by Neri Parenti.
Natale sul Nilo is a 2002 Italian comedy film directed by Neri Parenti. In Italy the film was a huge commercial success, grossing 28,302,293 euros.
Vacanze di Natale '90 is a 1990 Italian comedy film directed by Enrico Oldoini.
Neri Parenti is an Italian film director and writer. He is known for comedy films, including the series starring Paolo Villaggio playing the character Ugo Fantozzi, and a later series of cinepanettoni—zany comedy films scheduled for release during the Christmas period.
Vacanze di Natale a Cortina is a 2011 Italian comedy film written and directed by Neri Parenti.
A spasso nel tempo is a 1996 Italian science fiction adventure comedy film directed by Carlo Vanzina.
Yuppies is a 1986 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Vanzina.
Vacanze di Natale 2000 is a 1999 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Vanzina.
Natale in India is a 2003 Italian comedy film directed by Neri Parenti.
Natale a Miami is a 2005 Italian comedy film directed by Neri Parenti.
Natale a Beverly Hills is a 2009 Italian comedy film directed by Neri Parenti.
Vacanze di Natale '91 is a 1991 Italian comedy film directed by Enrico Oldoini.
In vacanza su Marte is a 2020 Italian surreal comedy film directed by Neri Parenti.
Christmas in Italy begins on 8 December, with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the day on which traditionally the Christmas tree is mounted and ends on 6 January, of the following year with the Epiphany, and in some areas female puppets are burned on a pyre, to symbolize, along with the end of the Christmas period, the death of the old year and the beginning of a new one. 26 December, is also a public holiday in Italy. The Italian term Natale derives from the Latin natalis, which literally means 'birth', and the greetings in Italian are buon Natale and felice Natale.
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