A modern take on traditional courting, Sting Like a Bee is a musical journey in collaboration with jazz pianist Ze in the Clouds. The short film takes us on a quest in search of love through the streets of the Italian southern town of Vasto. As we follow the adventures of protagonist Nicola Antonini and his friends, we soon learn of the romantic dynamics and interactions that evoke the all too familiar summer days of adolescence.

Sting Like a Bee is a tribute to one of Italy’s most iconic vehicles, the Piaggio Ape. Translating as “bee”, director Leone Balduzzi draws parallels between the restless bees in search of the sweetest flower and Nicola buzzing around in the hope of catching the attention of Matilde Talia - the prettiest girl in town.

A C41 project

Creative Director - LEONE and Nico Carrassi

Director - LEONE

Music - Ze in the Clouds

Words - Nico Carrassi

Cinematographer - Giuseppe Favale

Editor and Second Unit - Vittoria E. S.

Executive Producer - Alice Chauvain

Producer - Beatrice Lebrun

Art Directors - Isabella Petricca, Carlo Banfi and Inga Lavarini

Stylist - Aurora Zaltieri

Line Producer - Antonio Cilli

Production Assistant - Ettore D'Ascenzo

Bolex Operator - Giorgio Melgrati

Colorist - Daniel Pallucca

3D Artist - Antonio Cottone

Sound Design - Guido Smider

Master at Arms - Paolo Galliano

Children:

Nicola Antonini

Matilde Talia

Alessio Basilico

Nicola Dolce

Giuliano Cilli

Davide Cilli

Giuseppe Pio Di Virgilio

Valerio Bontempo

Alessandro Bruno

Matteo Bruno / Cecilia Guala

Arianna D'ascenzo

Marco Carosella

Chiara Di Petta

Pietro Fantini

Parents - Vaccaro Santina & Talia Salvatore, Emanuela Del Borrello -

Models - Fatima Koanda, Henriquetta Pedro Mendes