Hollywood veteran and Italian new comer shine at Cannes

Director Alice Rohrwacher (2ndR), cast members Sam Louwyck (L), Monica Bellucci (2ndL) and Alba Rohrwacher pose during a photocall for the film "Le meraviglie" (The Wonders) in competition at the 67th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes May 18, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

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Le Meraviglie (The Wonders) directed by Italian filmmaker Alice Rohrwacher, was also presented in competition.

Le Meraviglie is Rohrwacher's second film and a work that "she has endeavored to anchor firmly in reality," according to the festival daily.

The movie tells the story of a self-sufficient family of beekeepers.

By telling the story of the family, the 33-year-old filmmaker wanted to answer the question of the "destruction of regional identities in Italy and the difficulties faced by people living in isolated regions".

Le Meraviglie features the director's sister, actress Alba Rohrwacher, and Italian actress and fashion model Monica Bellucci, who plays a television presenter in the movie.

Rorhwacher says the movie is "a very personal film, all about an environment that's very familiar to me. The film describes the kind of family we all know".

"It's not an autobiographical story even though my father is in fact a beekeeper. I wanted a feeling of being at home while working and that's why bees feature in the film," Rorhwacher says. "We wanted to make a realistic film in order to leave a certain space for the spectator, at a time where that's in short supply."

Actress Bellucci says working on the film was a "very intense experience".

"The main reason I do this job is to enjoy human experiences," she says. "I was touched by her (Rorhwacher's) honesty and integrity," says the model-turned-actress.

The 67th Cannes Film Festival will run until May 25.The winners will be announced on May 24.