Pietro Zinni is a 35-year-old university researcher who is passionate about science and mathematical formulas. He offers students tuition at reasonable rates – trouble is, they continually find unreasonable excuses to avoid paying their dues.

When university funding cuts mark the end of his job, Pietro (played by Edoardo Leo, from Viva Italy and To Rome with Love) engages in some outlandish attempts to recoup unpaid student fees. And that’s when the madness begins.

Pietro rounds up his marginalised ex-colleagues for the purpose of producing and trafficking synthetic and “not quite illegal” drugs. The unlikely bandits are thrown into the deep end of a world governed by adrenalin, non-stop nightlife, leather pants and silk jackets. The mayhem intensifies when the misfits come to face to face with local drug Lord Murena (Neri Marcorè).

Taking a lighthearted approach to a more serious backstory, I Can Quit Whenever I Want fits firmly in the genre of satire and offers a look at an underground culture that entices many people seeking a quick fix as relief from the demeaning challenges of socio-economic hardship.

Known for previous short films Oggi Gira Così (2010) and Noemi (2007), director Sydney Sibilia has been producing comedy since 2005 and captures the hilarity of his provocative subject matter in this film. With an upbeat soundtrack and offering plenty of laughs, I Can Quit Whenever I Want won Best Comedy at this year’s Italian Golden Globes and has achieved cult status in Italy since its nominations in eight categories at the David di Donatello Awards, Italy’s equivalent of the Oscars.

I Can Quit Whenever I Want will screen on October 4 and 17 as part of the Italian Film Festival at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas. The festival opens tonight (Thursday) with a gala event and screening of Marina, a biopic about singer and accordion player Rocco Granata.