Popular Italian actor-director Carlo Verdone's latest film, Love Is Eternal For As Long As It Lasts (L'Amore E Eterno Finch Dura) opened at number two at the Italian box office, grossing a strong $2,529,564. Released by Medusa Film on a wide 335 screens, the picture registered an impressive screen average of $7,551.

The film, which focuses on couples of 40 and 50 year-olds who are torn between the need for stability and the desire for new emotions, also marks the first picture in three years to be produced by fallen mogul Vittorio Cecchi Gori.

Meanwhile, Scary Movie 3 opened with a bang at number one, scoring one of Italy's highest screen averages in recent times. BVI's spoof grossed $4,503,126 from 369 screens, earning a massive average of $12,204 per screen.

Mikado's Girl With A Pearl Earring opened well at number seven on 116 screens, grossing $604,814 for a healthy screen average of $5,214.

Elsewhere, Filmauro's Italian comedy, Le Barzellette, dropped 58% on its third weekend, although it still earned a solid $878,950 which brings its total gross to date to $7,611,501.