New York, NY – Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired U.S. Distribution rights to “Orfeo,” the directorial debut of Italian filmmaker Virgilio Villoresi, just days after the film’s premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. The deal, finalized with Italy’s True Colours at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin, signals a significant step for both the independent distributor and the emerging director.
“Orfeo,” a dreamlike drama running 74 minutes, is based on Dino Buzzati’s graphic novel “Poema a fumetti”. The film centers on a solitary pianist haunted by childhood fantasies of an abandoned villa, whose life is upended by a mysterious romantic connection with a woman named Eura. The narrative follows his descent into a visionary afterlife after Eura’s disappearance, populated by fantastical creatures and symbolic landscapes.
Francesca Tiberi, head of sales for True Colours, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. “This deal marks our first collaboration with the Oscilloscope team and we are thrilled it caught their eye, in particular the unique peculiarity of this film,” she stated. “We are confident this partnership will strengthen the movie’s exposure in the U.S.”
The film stars Luca Vergoni as Orpheus, alongside Giulia Maenza as Eura, with supporting roles played by Aomi Muyock and Vinicio Marchioni. Milan-based production company Fantasmagoria oversaw the film’s creation, bringing together a team including cinematographers Marco De Pasquale and editors, including Villoresi himself. The film’s visual effects were led by Giulia Gaia Bombelli and Daniele Iacuitto.
Oscilloscope’s head of acquisitions, Aaron Katz, described Villoresi’s work as a “magical and fantastic retelling of the story of Orpheus,” praising its artistry and connection to the roots of cinema. According to Variety, Katz believes the film embodies “what cinema was meant to be — a format that brings imagination and wonder to life.”
Villoresi himself has spoken of his desire to blend various cinematic languages – including artisanal animation, experimental film techniques, and optical effects – to create a “symbolic and sensorial tale,” viewing cinema as “a place of dreams.”
While Oscilloscope has not yet announced a release date for “Orfeo,” the acquisition positions the film for potential exposure to a wider American audience. The distributor’s catalog, as seen on their website, includes a diverse range of independent and foreign films, suggesting a potential fit for Villoresi’s unique vision. The future of the film’s distribution, and whether it will locate a substantial audience in the U.S. Market, remains to be seen.