An unlikely comedy has beat out La vita è bella (Life is Beautiful) to become Italy’s top-grossing film of all time.
The comedy, Che bella giornata (What a Beautiful Day), has officially grossed more than Roberto Benigni’s 1997 Oscar-winning Holocaust film.
Che bella giornata is the latest project from Checco Zalone, a well-known funnyman. In the film, Zalone plays a security guard in charge of protecting Milan's Duomo Cathedral. The character is a hopeless mamma's boy who soon falls for a beautiful Arab woman and is sucked into her terror plot to bomb the cathedral.
The normally glib Zalone was uncharacteristically serious when he offered an apology to Benigni. The comedian addressed his film's success by saying: "I apologize to maestro Benigni. If I am recognized by Hollywood and win three Oscars, then maybe we can say I surpassed him. But not now."
Zalone's success stems from the ignorant but genuine character he has created in the film. His likable character plays off Italy-only jokes, addressing homophobia and racism, that have struck a chord with the national audience.
As of this week, Che bella giornata’s record-breaking earnings stood at €31.5 million. The movie is only expected to gross more- the comedy has only been out for two weeks.
