Commercial Drive Productions is pleased to announce the Winnipeg premiere of Bella Ciao! on June 12th at the Cinematheque. The film had its world premiere at the Whistler Film Festival in December, and is just coming off sold out screenings at the Vancity Theatre in Vancouver. Directed by Carolyn Combs, Executive Director of Women in Film & Television Vancouver, and written by Michael Springate, former Prairie Theatre Exchange Artistic Director, the film stars Carmen Aguirre (Endgame), Tony Nardi (La Sarrasine) and new talents Alexandra Lainfiesta (Stratford Festival acting ensemble) and Taran Kootenhayoo (Star to watch at the Whistler Film Festival).

Bella Ciao! is a compassionate and heartfelt ensemble drama that comes to life in Vancouver’s eclectic Commercial Drive neighborhood. It is a film about displacement, home, isolation and solidarity. Unfolding over the course of one day, the story hinges on Constanza (Carmen Aguirre), a Chilean refugee and activist, whose relationship with her daughter is tested by serious health concerns they'd rather not confront. But this mother-daughter storyline is just one thread amidst an Altmanesque carnival of characters: artists, activists, hustlers, restauranteurs and coffee house consiglieri, who converge daily on the Drive.

"We are very happy to return to Winnipeg to screen this film," says Director Carolyn Combs. "The film speaks about community, something we both experienced while living here. We learned its value and carry those lessons with us. We feel very fortunate to share this story with Winnipeg audiences."

Both Carolyn and Michael will be in attendance at the Cinematheque screenings for Q&A's. Bella Ciao! will continue it's run in Winnipeg in June, with further cities to be announced.