Mid-August Lunch is a delightful Italian comedy about Giovanni (Di Gregorio), a man in his fifties who lives in a Rome apartment with his imposing and demanding elderly mother. Giovanni constantly worries about his increasing debts; he hasn’t paid his rent or Body Corporate fees for some months; and seeks solace in his local trattoria, where he can both drown his sorrows and escape – albeit briefly – from his demanding mother.

The film is set during the celebration of Ferragosto, an Italian public holiday which occurs annually on August 15th. Most people leave town to have a short holiday on the days before and after the 15th, but Giovanni is not able to follow their example.

The administrator of the block of flats knocks on Giovanni’s door on the 14th of August and tells him he will cancel some of Giovanni’s debt if he agrees to ‘babysit’ the administrator’s mother for the Ferragosto lunch so that the rest of his family can go and celebrate without her. Giovanni has no choice but to accept and finds himself hosting not only the administrator’s mother, but also his aunt Maria and the mother of his doctor. What follows can be imagined as poor Giovanni copes with four elderly and demanding women!

This is an excellent, well-acted Italian comedy, the winner of best film at the 2008 Venice Film Festival among other festival awards.