Diamanti (2024) by Ferzan Özpetek

“Diamanti (2024)” is the latest film from the celebrated Italian-Turkish director Ferzan Özpetek, known for his poignant dramas exploring themes of family, identity, and memory. This film serves as a vibrant homage to the world of cinema costume design and a powerful celebration of women, weaving together narratives set in both the 1970s and the present day.   

“Diamanti” centers around a film director who gathers a group of his favorite actresses, those he has worked with and cherished throughout his career. His intention is to create a film that delves into the essence of womanhood, but he reveals little about the project, instead choosing to observe and draw inspiration from the actresses themselves. This meta-cinematic setup transitions into a narrative primarily set in 1970s Rome, within a bustling cinema costume company. Here, the film focuses on the lives of two sisters, Alberta and Gabriella Canova, and the diverse group of women who work alongside them, navigating their personal and professional lives in a workplace dominated by female energy and creativity, where men occupy more marginal roles. The film blends reality and fiction, as the lives of the actresses and the characters they portray intertwine, exploring themes of loneliness, passion, anxiety, loss, unbreakable bonds, and the dynamic interplay between competition and sisterhood.  

“Diamanti” tells the story of a film director in the present day who brings together actresses to inspire a movie about women. This leads into a narrative set in a 1970s Rome cinema costume company run by two sisters, focusing on the lives, relationships, and solidarity of the women who work there. The film blends reality and fiction to explore themes of femininity, community, and the world of filmmaking.   

Ferzan Özpetek’s vision for “Diamanti” is a deeply personal and heartfelt tribute to the world of cine-theatrical tailoring and, more broadly, to the power and resilience of women. He aimed to create a film that celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship involved in creating costumes for cinema and theater, recognizing how garments are essential to storytelling. At its core, the film is intended as a powerful homage to femininity and the strong bonds of solidarity that can exist among women. Özpetek uses the meta-cinematic structure to explore the relationship between reality and fiction, allowing the lives of the actresses and their characters to permeate each other. His signature stylistic elements – vibrant cinematography, evocative music, and a focus on ensemble casts – are central to his vision, creating a visually rich and emotionally resonant experience that captures both nostalgia for a past era of Italian cinema and a timeless celebration of female strength. He sought to depict women with a wide range of emotions and experiences, embodying courage, vulnerability, determination, and imagination.   

• The World of Cinema Costume and Craftsmanship: The film is a detailed exploration and celebration of the skill, artistry, and dedication involved in creating costumes for film and theater, highlighting its importance to storytelling and character development.   

• Femininity and Female Solidarity: A central theme is the celebration of women’s strength, resilience, and the powerful bonds of community, mutual support, and sisterhood that can form among them, particularly in a shared workplace.   

• Reality and Fiction: The meta-cinematic framework and the blurring of lines between the actresses’ lives and their characters’ experiences explore the nature of reality, performance, and storytelling itself.   

• Memory and Nostalgia: Set partially in the 1970s, the film evokes a sense of nostalgia for a specific era of Italian cinema and the cultural landscape of Rome during that time.   

• Relationships and Emotions: Özpetek delves into the complex web of relationships among the women, exploring themes of love, loneliness, anxiety, passion, and loss with his characteristic emotional depth.   

• The Role of Women in Cinema: By focusing on a female-dominated workplace within the film industry of the past, the film implicitly highlights the significant contributions of women behind the scenes, often in historically less recognized roles.   

• Ferzan Özpetek’s Direction and Reputation: Özpetek is a respected director with a loyal audience, and his signature style and thematic concerns attract viewers. The film being seen as a “return to his best cinema” contributes to its appeal.

• Strong Ensemble Cast: The film features a large and talented Italian cast, including acclaimed actresses like Luisa Ranieri and Jasmine Trinca, which is a significant draw for audiences.   

• Appealing Subject Matter: The focus on the fascinating world of cinema costume design and the celebration of women resonates with audiences interested in film history, fashion, and female-centric narratives.   

• Positive Early Reception and Box Office in Italy: The film’s strong performance at the Italian box office indicates significant popular success in its home country, generating positive buzz.   

• Festival Showings: Being selected for various international film festivals provides valuable exposure and indicates critical interest beyond Italy.

• Evocative Atmosphere and Style: Özpetek’s known ability to create visually rich and emotionally resonant atmospheres through cinematography, music, and production design likely contributes to the film’s impact.   

“Diamanti” is a Ferzan Özpetek film set in 1970s Rome’s cinema costume world and the present day, celebrating women’s solidarity and the magic of filmmaking through the intertwined lives of actresses and characters.   

“Diamanti (2024)” has received notable recognition, particularly in Italy:   

Critical reception for “Diamanti (2024)” has been generally positive, particularly in Italy, although a comprehensive collection of international reviews is still developing as the film rolls out globally.   

• Cineuropa: Describes the film positively in a review, calling it “dazzling” and highlighting its setting in a dressmaker’s for film and theatre where the fates of its female employees interweave.

• RTSH English: Hails the film as a “masterpiece” and a “return to Ozpetek’s best cinema,” praising its elegance, intensity, beauty, and powerful portrayals of women.   

• art a part of cult(ure): Views the film as a “Luminous Tribute to the Female Force and the Magic of Cinema,” appreciating Özpetek’s recognizable stylistic elements and the film’s focus on female solidarity and the intertwining of reality and fiction.

• IMDb User Reviews: User reviews on IMDb are mixed. Positive reviews praise the film as “BEAUTIFUL,” “excellent and very artistic,” highlighting its emotional depth, celebration of women, strong cast, and music. Negative reviews found it “a stretched-out melodramatic soap opera” and “2h of mediocrity dressed up as a meaningfoul movie,” criticizing the script and pacing.   

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: “Diamanti” has been well-received in Italy, marked by its significant box office success and winning the prestigious Audience Award at the David di Donatello Awards. Early reviews from some sources are highly positive, praising Özpetek’s direction, the film’s themes, its celebration of women, and its atmosphere. However, international critical consensus is still forming, and some user reviews indicate that the film’s melodramatic elements or pacing might not resonate with all viewers.   

(Based on available descriptions and summaries of reviews):

• Cineuropa: Positive review, calling it “dazzling” and focusing on the intertwined lives of women in a film costume atelier.

• RTSH English: Highly positive, labeling it a “masterpiece” and praising its emotional depth and focus on women.   

• art a part of cult(ure): Positive, seeing it as a tribute to women and cinema, noting Özpetek’s signature style.   

• IMDb User Reviews: Mixed. Positive comments emphasize the film’s beauty, artistry, and emotional impact, particularly in its portrayal of female relationships. Negative comments express boredom, find it overly dramatic, and criticize the script.   

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews for “Diamanti” are varied, reflecting a potentially polarizing response. Positive reviews from some critics and audiences highlight its emotional resonance, visual appeal, and thematic celebration of women and cinema. Conversely, some user reviews suggest that its style and pacing may not appeal to everyone. The film’s strong performance in Italy indicates significant popular approval there.

“Diamanti (2024)” performed very well at the Italian box office, grossing over 15 million euros. This made it the biggest commercial hit of Ferzan Özpetek’s career in Italy. Worldwide, as of early May 2025, the film has a reported box office gross of approximately $17.3 million according to Box Office Mojo, primarily driven by its success in Italy.   

“Diamanti (2024)” is an Italian production with several companies involved, including Palomar, RAI Cinema, and Vision Distribution, who also handled distribution in Italy and world sales. Other production companies include GreenBoo Production, Faros Film, and R&C Produzioni. The film was directed and co-written by Ferzan Özpetek.   

• Vision Distribution (Italy)   

• Cdi Films (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia)

• Palace Films (Australia)

• Big Tree Entertainment (Bangladesh, Bhutan)

• Beta Film (Bulgaria)

• AZ Films (Canada)

• Another World Entertainment

• (Other distributors globally depending on sales deals)

A specific streaming release date and platform for “Diamanti (2024)” have not been widely announced yet. Streaming availability will likely vary by region and follow the film’s theatrical and home media release windows.

“Diamanti (2024)” was first released theatrically in Italy on December 19, 2024. It has since had screenings at various international film festivals in early and mid-2025, including the Miami International Film Festival, Cinema Made in Italy events in Stockholm and Poland, the NICE Italian Film Festival Ireland, the Seattle International Film Festival, the Semana de Cine Italiano in Buenos Aires, and the Sofia International Film Festival. Its theatrical release in other countries is part of a staggered international rollout throughout 2025.   

• For Fans of Ferzan Özpetek: If you appreciate Özpetek’s signature style, his focus on emotions, relationships, and his ability to create atmospheric dramas with ensemble casts.   

• A Celebration of Women: The film is a powerful and heartfelt tribute to female solidarity, resilience, and the strong bonds between women.

• Insight into Cinema History and Craft: It offers a fascinating look into the world of cinema costume design in the 1970s, highlighting the creativity and skill involved behind the scenes.   

• Strong Ensemble Performances: The film features a talented cast of Italian actresses delivering what are likely compelling performances.   

• Critical and Popular Success in Italy: Its strong box office performance and Audience Award win in Italy indicate that it resonated deeply with domestic audiences.

• Experience Özpetek’s Latest “Masterpiece”: Some early reviews suggest this film is a return to form for the director.

• Discover the World of Film Costumes: Gain an appreciation for the artistry and hard work that goes into creating iconic costumes for the screen.

• Enjoy a Film with a Female-Centric Narrative: If you are looking for films that prioritize women’s stories and relationships.

• Visually and Emotionally Rich: Based on Özpetek’s style, the film is likely to be visually appealing and emotionally resonant.

• See a Film Appreciated by Italian Audiences: Experience a film that was a significant popular success in its home country.

• Meta-Cinema / Films About Filmmaking: The film incorporates elements of meta-cinema by featuring a director making a film and blurring the lines between the actors’ reality and their characters’ lives. This trend involves films that reflect on the process of filmmaking, storytelling, and the relationship between the creator, the art, and the audience.   

• Ensemble Cast Dramas with a Focus on Specific Communities: Özpetek is known for his ensemble films, and “Diamanti” fits this trend by focusing on a group of women in a shared workplace, exploring their collective and individual experiences.   

• Celebration of Female Empowerment and Solidarity: The film strongly aligns with the ongoing social trend of highlighting and celebrating female empowerment, resilience, and the importance of solidarity and support networks among women. By focusing on a female-dominated workplace and depicting strong female bonds, it reflects and contributes to this broader cultural conversation.   

“Diamanti (2024)” is a warm, visually rich, and emotionally resonant film that stands as a heartfelt tribute by Ferzan Özpetek to the unsung heroes of cinema costume and, more importantly, to the enduring strength and solidarity of women. Its success in Italy and positive early reception highlight its ability to connect with audiences through its compelling characters, nostalgic atmosphere, and universal themes. While international critical consensus is still forming, “Diamanti” is a significant work in Özpetek’s filmography and a moving celebration of femininity and the magic woven into the fabric of filmmaking.   

• Find Inspiration in Craft and Community: Özpetek’s film demonstrates that compelling stories can be found by focusing on specific crafts within an industry (like costume design) and the communities of people who practice them. Filmmakers should explore niche worlds and the human connections within them.

• Embrace Meta-Cinematic Elements Thoughtfully: The film’s use of a director character and blurring reality and fiction adds depth. Filmmakers can explore meta-cinematic techniques to comment on storytelling or the creative process in interesting ways.   

• Build Strong Ensemble Casts: Özpetek’s success with ensemble films highlights the power of showcasing multiple interconnected characters and performances to create a rich narrative tapestry.   

• Celebrate Underrepresented Contributions: By focusing on the women in a costume atelier, the film sheds light on often overlooked roles in film history. Filmmakers should seek to tell stories about individuals and groups whose contributions have been historically marginalized.   

• Allow Reality to Inform Fiction: The inspiration drawn from the actresses’ lives influencing the fictional narrative shows how real-world observation and collaboration can enrich storytelling.

• Support Films Celebrating Craft and Artisanship: Encourage and fund films that highlight the various crafts and skills involved in filmmaking and other artistic disciplines, educating and fascinating audiences about the work that happens behind the scenes.

• Champion Female-Led and Female-Focused Narratives: Continue to invest in and promote films that center female characters, explore their experiences with depth and nuance, and showcase stories of female solidarity and empowerment.

• Recognize the Value of Ensemble Dramas: Support films that prioritize strong ensemble casts and character-driven narratives, as these can resonate deeply with audiences and offer rich storytelling opportunities.   

• Promote Films with Cultural Specificity: “Diamanti” is rooted in Italian culture and cinema history. The industry should continue to support and distribute films with strong cultural specificity, as these can offer unique perspectives and find international audiences.   

• Leverage Festival Success for Wider Distribution: The film’s screenings at various international festivals should be used to facilitate wider theatrical and streaming distribution, bringing it to a global audience.

“Diamanti (2024)” is a testament to Ferzan Özpetek’s enduring skill as a filmmaker capable of weaving together compelling narratives with deep emotional resonance. Through its affectionate portrayal of the cinema costume world and its powerful celebration of women, the film offers a rich and moving experience. Its significant success in Italy underscores its ability to connect with audiences on a profound level. “Diamanti” is a shining example of how focusing on specific communities and celebrating human connection, particularly female solidarity, can create a universally resonant and truly luminous work of cinema.