108 Media announced that they have acquired international distribution rights (excluding Italy theatrical and China) to The Fifth Taste, from director Angelo Frezza (La Piantina, Sweet Sweet Marja) and starring Karin Proia (Boris, Una Gita A Roma), Angelo Orlando (I thought it was Love…Instead it was a Buggy, Sfiorarsi), and Daphne Scoccia (Flower, Far Away). The film marks an impressive addition to 108 Media’s growing international and cross-cultural slate, further showcasing the company’s ability to work with content creators across the globe to develop, produce and distribute projects for a variety of platforms and audiences.

Produced by Giovanna Emidi and Silvia Natili of G&E Film Production Services (The Hunt, Mysteries of the Renaissance Painters), principal photography on THE FIFTH TASTE will take place in Italy from October 19^th for five weeks, with Italian actors Cristina Del Grosso, Chiara Cincis, Enrico Oetiker, Luca Paniconi, Filippo Tirabassi, Elena Cantarone, Annalisa Favetti, and Jack Queralt rounding out the casting. 

When Anna (Karin Proia), a boutique food publisher, recognises that her niece Nina (Daphne Scoccia) has an eating disorder, it’s her estranged lover, Alejandro (Angelo Orlando), who seems to be the only person who can reach Nina and help her through this personal struggle. A famous food critic with expertise in developing the mysterious flavour Umami, or ‘the fifth taste’, Alejandro has not been in good standing with Anna since their wedding day almost ten years ago when he left her, embarrassed and alone, at the altar. But it’s Alejandro and Anna’s mutual love for Nina and for food that slowly reignites their love for one another.

Justin Deimen, President – 108 Media commented: “We’re so impressed with the crowd-pleasing script and characters on ‘The Fifth Taste’ and how it’s been written and presented with a global appeal through that great unifier – food. A very solid team has been put together in front and behind the camera and our global offices look forward to beginning sales on this sumptuous project.”

On today’s announcement, Giovanna Emidi added: “I am very excited to be a part of ‘The Fifth Taste’ and what drew me to the script was the exploration of the main character’s unique ways of incorporating the fifth flavour, known as Umami to revolutionize his cuisines! As Italians, we are all about the eating experience. Also, the fact that this is a very interesting way to approach having food as a catalyst in bringing family and lovers together in a positive and upbeat tone, and at the same time addressing delicate and complex issues so common amongst people today.”

108 Media’s current sales slate includes holding world sales rights to Wanphrang K Diengdoh’s feature debut LORNI – THE FLANEUR starring Adil Hussain and international sales rights on the premium, 5-part sports docuseries, FEARLESS: Rise of the Johor Southern Tigers, which charts the climb of six-time Malaysian Super League champions, Johor Darul Ta’zim backed by the Crown Prince of Johor. The company is also selling Mattie Do’s (Chanthaly, Dearest Sister) critically acclaimed spiritual thriller THE LONG WALK, which screened as part of the Official Selection at 2019’s Venice Days, the Toronto International Film Festival, Sitges Film Festival and Tokyo International Film Festival, and centres on a middle-aged man who is left alone with his regrets and an unsettled spirit. 108 Media also holds the Asian sales rights on animated cyberpunk thriller HUMAN LOST, directed by Fuminori Kizaki (Afro Samurai: Resurrection– nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program). The slate is also rounded out by Cambodia’s entry for the 2020 the Academy Awards, IN THE LIFE OF MUSIC and Indonesia-Singapore’s ABRACADABRA, starring Indonesian A-list actor Reza Rahadian and received a domestic theatrical release earlier this year and had its North American premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival in August 2020.