''Seeking Asylum'' ( it, Chiedo asilo) is a 1979 Italian

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

directed by

Marco Ferreri Marco Ferreri (11 May 1928 – 9 May 1997) was an Italian film director, screenwriter and actor, who began his career in the 1950s directing three films in Spain, followed by 24 Italian films before his death in 1997. He is considered one of ...

. It was entered into the

30th Berlin International Film Festival The 30th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 18–29 February 1980. The Golden Bear was awarded to the American film ''Heartland'' directed by Richard Pearce and West German film '' Palermo oder Wolfsburg'' directed by Werne ...

where it won the Silver Bear - Special Jury Prize.

Plot

Benigni plays Roberto, a kindergarten teacher who uses unusual teaching methods to form special bonds with his students.

Cast

Roberto Benigni Roberto Remigio Benigni (; born 27 October 1952) is an Italian actor, comedian, screenwriter and director. He gained international recognition for writing, directing and starring in the Holocaust comedy-drama film ''Life Is Beautiful'' (1997), f ...

as Roberto *

Francesca De Sapio Francesca De Sapio (16 August 1945) is an Italian actress and acting coach, best-known as the young Carmela Corleone in ''The Godfather Part II'' (1974). The daughter of an architect, she was born in Rome. After her father's work took him to t ...

as Chiara * Dominique Laffin as Isabella * Luca Levi as Luca * Girolamo Marzano as Mario *

Carlo Monni Carlo Monni (23 October 1943 – 19 May 2013) was an Italian film, television and stage actor. Born in Campi Bisenzio, Florence, Monni started his artistic activity in early seventies, as an actor in the Tuscan vernacular comic theater. Afte ...

as Paolo *

Chiara Moretti Chiara Moretti (8 August 1955 – 16 May 2023) was an Italian actress. Biography Born in Siena, Moretti started her acting career in the second half of the 1970s, appearing alongside Roberto Benigni in a series of projects, including the films ...

as Irma * Roberto Amaro as Robertino

References

External links

* * 1979 films 1979 comedy films 1970s Italian-language films Italian comedy films Films set in Emilia-Romagna Films set in Sardinia Films directed by Marco Ferreri Films with screenplays by Gérard Brach Films scored by Philippe Sarde Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize winners 1970s Italian films {{1970s-Italy-comedy-film-stub