Prominent Italian producer Aurelio De Laurentiis has teamed up with the National Italian American Foundation (Niaf) to establish a film production grant program supporting aspiring filmmakers with compelling stories to tell about Italian and Italian American experiences.
De Laurentiis, who is the nephew of the late great movie mogul Dino De Laurentiis and a mogul in his own right — his Filmauro banner has released more than 400 movies — has long been supporting young filmmakers by financing the Venice Film Festival’s $100,000 “Luigi De Laurentiis” award for best first work.
The nascent Niaf/De Laurentiis Film Prizes will award a $10,000 grant this year to five selected applicants toward producing a short film project in any genre, including documentaries. The best project will be awarded an additional $10,000, plus a mentorship directly with De Laurentiis and his Filmauro team.
The five award-winning films will premiere at the Niaf 50th anniversary gala in Washington, D.
De Laurentiis, who is the nephew of the late great movie mogul Dino De Laurentiis and a mogul in his own right — his Filmauro banner has released more than 400 movies — has long been supporting young filmmakers by financing the Venice Film Festival’s $100,000 “Luigi De Laurentiis” award for best first work.
The nascent Niaf/De Laurentiis Film Prizes will award a $10,000 grant this year to five selected applicants toward producing a short film project in any genre, including documentaries. The best project will be awarded an additional $10,000, plus a mentorship directly with De Laurentiis and his Filmauro team.
The five award-winning films will premiere at the Niaf 50th anniversary gala in Washington, D.
- 1/16/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Film Bridge International is launching sales at AFM on horror Xelter, whose producers include The De Laurentiis Company (Hannibal) and Head Gear Films (Talk To Me).
The period horror film directed by Martin Bonnici is currently in production in Malta, with a cast of Maltese newcomers alongside actors including Brit Bobby Schofield (The Covenant) and Irish actor Moe Dunford (Vikings).
The WWII-set movie charts the legend of the Babaw, a supernatural creature known for stalking and killing children. The film, inspired by true historical events, sees citizens of Malta take shelter from Nazi bombardment in the ancient catacombs underneath the cities, where they suffered deadly peril from collapsing tunnels and entrapment. That experience scarred a generation, and led to stories about creatures that stole children who strayed too far away from their parents.
Screenplay was written by Scottish screenwriter and comics writer Emma Beeby, based on a story Beeby wrote with Gordon Rennie.
The period horror film directed by Martin Bonnici is currently in production in Malta, with a cast of Maltese newcomers alongside actors including Brit Bobby Schofield (The Covenant) and Irish actor Moe Dunford (Vikings).
The WWII-set movie charts the legend of the Babaw, a supernatural creature known for stalking and killing children. The film, inspired by true historical events, sees citizens of Malta take shelter from Nazi bombardment in the ancient catacombs underneath the cities, where they suffered deadly peril from collapsing tunnels and entrapment. That experience scarred a generation, and led to stories about creatures that stole children who strayed too far away from their parents.
Screenplay was written by Scottish screenwriter and comics writer Emma Beeby, based on a story Beeby wrote with Gordon Rennie.
- 11/2/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Rome (Italy), May 5 (Ians) After days of waiting, Naples burst into celebration after the city’s football club clinched their first Serie A title in more than three decades. The finish on Thursday night was anticlimactic, with Ssc Napoli securing their first championship since 1990 with a 1-1 draw against a middle-of-the-pack Udinese squad.
With the title, the southern Italian city of Naples, which stands in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius volcano, erupted into celebration. There were no immediate reports of violence or injuries during the celebrations.
On Thursday night, a second-half goal by Victor Osimhen secured Napoli the title with five games remaining in the season.
Sandi Lovric had dampened the spirits of visiting fans when he scored a goal after 13 minutes, with a well-placed shot that found the top-right corner of the box. However, in the 53rd minute, Osimhen sparked jubilant celebrations among the Napoli fans when he fired...
With the title, the southern Italian city of Naples, which stands in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius volcano, erupted into celebration. There were no immediate reports of violence or injuries during the celebrations.
On Thursday night, a second-half goal by Victor Osimhen secured Napoli the title with five games remaining in the season.
Sandi Lovric had dampened the spirits of visiting fans when he scored a goal after 13 minutes, with a well-placed shot that found the top-right corner of the box. However, in the 53rd minute, Osimhen sparked jubilant celebrations among the Napoli fans when he fired...
- 5/5/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Sony Pictures International Productions is venturing into local-language movies in Italy with the comedy “Un Natale in Famiglia” (“A Family Christmas”), which is currently shooting in Rome.
Alessandro Usai and Iginio Straffi of Colorado Film, which is owned by Straffi’s Rainbow Group, serve as producers on the film, which is the first of a three-picture deal between Spip and Colorado.
Directed by Italian commercial comedies helmer Giovanni Bognetti (“When Mom is Away”), Sony’s first foray into Italian movies stars Christian De Sica and Angela Finocchiaro, who are both local box office draws.
De Sica, who is the son of late great neorealist director Vittorio De Sica, is among Italy’s most popular stars. He’s had leading roles in some of the country’s highest grossing Christmas movies, such as “Vacanze di Natale” and “Christmas in Love,” both produced by Aurelio De Laurentiis.
De Laurentiis, after churning out...
Alessandro Usai and Iginio Straffi of Colorado Film, which is owned by Straffi’s Rainbow Group, serve as producers on the film, which is the first of a three-picture deal between Spip and Colorado.
Directed by Italian commercial comedies helmer Giovanni Bognetti (“When Mom is Away”), Sony’s first foray into Italian movies stars Christian De Sica and Angela Finocchiaro, who are both local box office draws.
De Sica, who is the son of late great neorealist director Vittorio De Sica, is among Italy’s most popular stars. He’s had leading roles in some of the country’s highest grossing Christmas movies, such as “Vacanze di Natale” and “Christmas in Love,” both produced by Aurelio De Laurentiis.
De Laurentiis, after churning out...
- 7/27/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: UTA has signed writer and producer Cheryl Guerriero and will rep the Girls on Point novelist in all areas worldwide.
Guerriero most recently produced and wrote Apple’s drama Palmer, which is set to star Justin Timberlake, Fisher Stevens, Juno Temple, June Squibb, Alisha Wainright and Ryder Allen.
The writer’s script appeared on the 2016 Blacklist and follows former college football star Eddie Palmer (Timberlake) who returns to his hometown after some time in prison. Hoping to get his life back on track, Eddie finds himself in charge of a unique boy abandoned by his mother. Palmer, one of many films on Apple’s new film slate, is set to premiere in 2021.
Guerriero entered the publishing scene with her debut suspense novel Girl On Point, a project for which Aurelio De Laurentiis acquired the rights. Guerriero is also set to write the film adaptation for her 2019 book.
The multi-hyphenate...
Guerriero most recently produced and wrote Apple’s drama Palmer, which is set to star Justin Timberlake, Fisher Stevens, Juno Temple, June Squibb, Alisha Wainright and Ryder Allen.
The writer’s script appeared on the 2016 Blacklist and follows former college football star Eddie Palmer (Timberlake) who returns to his hometown after some time in prison. Hoping to get his life back on track, Eddie finds himself in charge of a unique boy abandoned by his mother. Palmer, one of many films on Apple’s new film slate, is set to premiere in 2021.
Guerriero entered the publishing scene with her debut suspense novel Girl On Point, a project for which Aurelio De Laurentiis acquired the rights. Guerriero is also set to write the film adaptation for her 2019 book.
The multi-hyphenate...
- 10/1/2020
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon Studios’ official move into Italy last week with a robust slate of both scripted and unscripted shows is shaking up the local industry and may give the country a welcome boost in terms of raising its profile on the global production map, where Italian TV output for global viewing lags behind nearby territories.
The streamer, being an arm of a global retailing powerhouse, is pushing into Europe at its own pace and with a more multi-genre approach than its competitors, in particular compared with Netflix, a standalone service. During a Jan. 23 presentation in Rome, Amazon announced four new Italian originals, comprising “Bang Bang Baby,” a high-concept Milan-set mob dramedy with a mostly female cast, “Vita da Carlo,” a comedy series centered around popular local star Carlo Verdone, and an unscripted food travelogue titled “Dinner Club.”
Previously Amazon had announced other Italian projects, most notably the Italian component of global thriller multi-series “Citadel,...
The streamer, being an arm of a global retailing powerhouse, is pushing into Europe at its own pace and with a more multi-genre approach than its competitors, in particular compared with Netflix, a standalone service. During a Jan. 23 presentation in Rome, Amazon announced four new Italian originals, comprising “Bang Bang Baby,” a high-concept Milan-set mob dramedy with a mostly female cast, “Vita da Carlo,” a comedy series centered around popular local star Carlo Verdone, and an unscripted food travelogue titled “Dinner Club.”
Previously Amazon had announced other Italian projects, most notably the Italian component of global thriller multi-series “Citadel,...
- 1/29/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
John Walton/Empics Sport
Manchester United have been told they must break their transfer record if they want Napoli’s Argentine international Gonzalo Higuain to be playing at Old Trafford next season.
Sky Sports claim the Italian club have insisted that the striker will only leave Stadio San Paolo if his £72m buyout clause is met after The Red Devils and Arsenal were linked with his signature.
If Louis Van Gaal was to successfully sign the former-Real Madrid star, he would have to top last year’s investment of £59.7m on Angel Di Maria, a deal that would take up a significant percentage of Dutchman’s summer transfer-budget.
Jon Super/AP
The Red Devils boss is looking to add to his attacking options ahead of his team’s return to the Champions League, with concerns involving Robin van Persie’s future and the departure of Radamel Falcao.
A chance of...
Manchester United have been told they must break their transfer record if they want Napoli’s Argentine international Gonzalo Higuain to be playing at Old Trafford next season.
Sky Sports claim the Italian club have insisted that the striker will only leave Stadio San Paolo if his £72m buyout clause is met after The Red Devils and Arsenal were linked with his signature.
If Louis Van Gaal was to successfully sign the former-Real Madrid star, he would have to top last year’s investment of £59.7m on Angel Di Maria, a deal that would take up a significant percentage of Dutchman’s summer transfer-budget.
Jon Super/AP
The Red Devils boss is looking to add to his attacking options ahead of his team’s return to the Champions League, with concerns involving Robin van Persie’s future and the departure of Radamel Falcao.
A chance of...
- 6/17/2015
- by Matthew Brown
- Obsessed with Film
Italian outfit Napoli will hold out for the full £54 million stipulated by Edinson Cavani’s release clause after rejecting yet another offer from Chelsea, according to the Independent.
It is understood the Premier League club have had a second bid worth £42.8 million plus Fernando Torres rejected, sources close to Napoli said last night, though that remains unconfirmed.
Last month, the Blues saw their opening bid of £40 million plus Thibaut Courtois knocked back by the Italians, and have, as expected at the time, made an improved offer for the Uruguayan striker.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is only interested in a straight cash offer with the club rejecting two player-plus-cash offers now, while the inclusion of Torres in the latest proposal put forward by Chelsea would appear to confirm the uncertainty surrounding the Spaniard’s future at Stamford Bridge.
Torres collected the Golden Boot Award at this summer’s Confederations Cup...
It is understood the Premier League club have had a second bid worth £42.8 million plus Fernando Torres rejected, sources close to Napoli said last night, though that remains unconfirmed.
Last month, the Blues saw their opening bid of £40 million plus Thibaut Courtois knocked back by the Italians, and have, as expected at the time, made an improved offer for the Uruguayan striker.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is only interested in a straight cash offer with the club rejecting two player-plus-cash offers now, while the inclusion of Torres in the latest proposal put forward by Chelsea would appear to confirm the uncertainty surrounding the Spaniard’s future at Stamford Bridge.
Torres collected the Golden Boot Award at this summer’s Confederations Cup...
- 7/2/2013
- by Joseph Dempsey
- Obsessed with Film
Chelsea have told Napoli they will not pay any more than £40 million for Edinson Cavani, according to the Daily Star.
The Serie A club are holding out for the full £53 million of the striker’s release clause but the Blues are playing hard ball and have decided to cap the amount they are willing to spend.
This latest speculation would seem to squash reports yesterday that the two clubs had agreed to a £49.3 million deal.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is adamant he wants the figure cut by around a quarter before he sanctions a move, while Cavani himself has admitted the fee placed on his head is too high.
If the Europa League winners fail with their move for Cavani, manager Jose Mourinho has other targets, which include Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Edin Dzeko of Manchester City, with Brazil star Hulk, from Zenit St Petersburg, also under consideration.
The Serie A club are holding out for the full £53 million of the striker’s release clause but the Blues are playing hard ball and have decided to cap the amount they are willing to spend.
This latest speculation would seem to squash reports yesterday that the two clubs had agreed to a £49.3 million deal.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is adamant he wants the figure cut by around a quarter before he sanctions a move, while Cavani himself has admitted the fee placed on his head is too high.
If the Europa League winners fail with their move for Cavani, manager Jose Mourinho has other targets, which include Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Edin Dzeko of Manchester City, with Brazil star Hulk, from Zenit St Petersburg, also under consideration.
- 6/26/2013
- by Joseph Dempsey
- Obsessed with Film
According to Teamtalk.com, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed that Chelsea are interested in signing Edinson Cavani this summer.
Cavani, 26, has been linked with a summer move away from Napoli in recent weeks and despite the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City reportedly showing interest in the striker, Stamford Bridge looks his most likely destination.
De Laurentiis has stated that he intends to keep the Uruguayan at the Stadio San Paolo but has promised that if a club meet Cavani’s €63 million release clause then the entire fee will be re-invested back into the Italian side.
De Laurentiis said:
“If Cavani is sold then I’ll reinvest all of the €63million (£53.5m) of his release clause. There is interest from Chelsea in Cavani, they’ll call me in the next few hours.”
He continued:
“I’ll be delighted if he stays, but if he leaves then he will be adequately replaced.
Cavani, 26, has been linked with a summer move away from Napoli in recent weeks and despite the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City reportedly showing interest in the striker, Stamford Bridge looks his most likely destination.
De Laurentiis has stated that he intends to keep the Uruguayan at the Stadio San Paolo but has promised that if a club meet Cavani’s €63 million release clause then the entire fee will be re-invested back into the Italian side.
De Laurentiis said:
“If Cavani is sold then I’ll reinvest all of the €63million (£53.5m) of his release clause. There is interest from Chelsea in Cavani, they’ll call me in the next few hours.”
He continued:
“I’ll be delighted if he stays, but if he leaves then he will be adequately replaced.
- 6/7/2013
- by Matt Robinson
- Obsessed with Film
Rafa Benitez has been appointed as the new manager of Italian side Napoli, according to BBC Sport.
Benitez, 53, had been the interim manager of Chelsea Fc since the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo in November last year but was always due to leave the London club at the end of the season. Benitez led Chelsea to Europa League trophy victory earlier this month and secured Champions League football for the club next season with a third place finish in the Premier League, above rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis posted a picture of himself and Benitez on his twitter account and said:
“Rafa Benitez is the new coach of Napoli. A man of great international experience. A leader.”
Despite Benitez’s achievements he was welcomed to a hostile Stamford Bridge with many fans demanding for the return of Roberto Di Matteo before Benitez had even managed a game.
Benitez, 53, had been the interim manager of Chelsea Fc since the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo in November last year but was always due to leave the London club at the end of the season. Benitez led Chelsea to Europa League trophy victory earlier this month and secured Champions League football for the club next season with a third place finish in the Premier League, above rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis posted a picture of himself and Benitez on his twitter account and said:
“Rafa Benitez is the new coach of Napoli. A man of great international experience. A leader.”
Despite Benitez’s achievements he was welcomed to a hostile Stamford Bridge with many fans demanding for the return of Roberto Di Matteo before Benitez had even managed a game.
- 5/27/2013
- by Matt Robinson
- Obsessed with Film
With a record spending of over 70 million which has attracted awe, curiosity and criticism from football experts around the world, Chelsea has been able to secure one of the most formidable midfield in the world of club football. Chelsea has signed the likes of Marko Marin, Eden Hazard and Oscar to replace its aging midfield and to bring in more aggression in its playing style. However, the Russian owner of the team and its newly made permanent manager are not satisfied with what they already have.
Chelsea may have in its reach one of the most clever defense and midfield, but there is one area which is bothering them and making them insecure at the moment. The problem is clear and there is no dichotomy, they have to find a replacement for Drogba. They do have the world’s most expensive signing to fill in his shoes, but Torres with...
Chelsea may have in its reach one of the most clever defense and midfield, but there is one area which is bothering them and making them insecure at the moment. The problem is clear and there is no dichotomy, they have to find a replacement for Drogba. They do have the world’s most expensive signing to fill in his shoes, but Torres with...
- 8/5/2012
- by Rajeev
- Obsessed with Film
The Los Angeles Film Festival has announced the world premiere of Richard Linklater's Bernie as the opening night film for the 2011 festival.
The film will kick off the festival on June 16 at Regal Cinemas Stadium 14 at L.A. Live. It is written by Skip Hollandsworth and director Linklater and stars Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey.
The film follows a beloved mortician (Black) from a small Texas town, even winning over the town's richest, meanest widow (MacLaine). Even after Bernie commits a horrible crime, people still will not utter a bad word against him.
"We're thrilled to be opening the Festival with the world premiere of this delicious black comedy - a treat from one of the most original and exciting voices in independent film, Richard Linklater," said Festival director Rebecca Yeldham. "With its fabulous all-star cast, Bernie is a perfect stage setter for the incredible line-up of...
The film will kick off the festival on June 16 at Regal Cinemas Stadium 14 at L.A. Live. It is written by Skip Hollandsworth and director Linklater and stars Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey.
The film follows a beloved mortician (Black) from a small Texas town, even winning over the town's richest, meanest widow (MacLaine). Even after Bernie commits a horrible crime, people still will not utter a bad word against him.
"We're thrilled to be opening the Festival with the world premiere of this delicious black comedy - a treat from one of the most original and exciting voices in independent film, Richard Linklater," said Festival director Rebecca Yeldham. "With its fabulous all-star cast, Bernie is a perfect stage setter for the incredible line-up of...
- 5/30/2011
- by alyssa@mediavine.com (Alyssa Caverley)
- Reel Movie News
A teaser trailer for Giovanni Veronesi’s Manual of Love 3 (Manuale d’amore 3), which is an anthology of love stories set in Italy, starring Robert De Niro and Monica Bellucci, has gone online.
The film has received attention because it’s managed to land De Niro and Bellucci in one of the storylines. As we previously reported, De Niro will play a divorced American professor living in Rome and his role will partially be spoken in Italian. Bellucci will play his love interest.
Also stars Michele Placido, Laura Chiatti, Valeria Solarino, and Donatella Finocchiaro.
Manual of Love 3 will hit theaters in Italy on February 25th, 2011. No word if it will ever be released in the Us.
In an interview with Variety, producer Aurelio De Laurentiis said that the first two movies have been successful in Europe making a combined total of $45 million at the Italian box office.
But now, he...
The film has received attention because it’s managed to land De Niro and Bellucci in one of the storylines. As we previously reported, De Niro will play a divorced American professor living in Rome and his role will partially be spoken in Italian. Bellucci will play his love interest.
Also stars Michele Placido, Laura Chiatti, Valeria Solarino, and Donatella Finocchiaro.
Manual of Love 3 will hit theaters in Italy on February 25th, 2011. No word if it will ever be released in the Us.
In an interview with Variety, producer Aurelio De Laurentiis said that the first two movies have been successful in Europe making a combined total of $45 million at the Italian box office.
But now, he...
- 1/5/2011
- by Allan Ford
- Filmofilia
Dino De Laurentiis, one of cinema's most well-known and prolific producers, has passed away at the age of 91 this week in Los Angeles. Although you might not immediately associate his name with some of the movies he has produced, you will most certainly be familiar with a large chunk of his filmography. He became known for a lot of genre films, and plenty of fun movies that didn't pretend to be high art. He leaves behind an impressive body of work that includes such cult favourites as Barbarella, Serpico, Conan the Barbarian, Dune, Blue Velvet, Evil Dead 2 and Hannibal. DeLaurentiis started his career in Italy, selling his father's pasta, before enlisting in the Italian army during World War II. After that, he got into producing films, even winning an Oscar early on for co-producing Federico Fellini's La Strada in 1954. He came to America in the '70s and started his own production company,...
- 11/11/2010
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Famed film producer Dino De Laurentiis, who was behind Serpico, War and Peace and Dune, has died. He was 91.De Laurentiis, who has been making movies for nearly 70 years, passed away inside his Beverly Hills home, where lived with his third wife, Martha. He has six daughters; his only son, Federico, died in a 1981 plane crash. His granddaughter, Giada, is a chef on the Food Network."Cinema has lost one of its greats," Rome Film Festival founder Walter Veltroni told the Afp. "The name of Dino De Laurentiis is tied to the history of cinema."De Laurentiis was born to pasta-maker parents on Aug. 8, 1919 in Torre Annunziata, which is near Naples, but moved to the U.S. in the 1960s.De Laurentiis entered the film industry at age 20, and went on to produce more than 500 movies, including those by Federico Fellini and Roberto Rossellini.He won his first Oscar in 1956 for Fellini's La Strada,...
- 11/11/2010
- backstage.com
Monica Bellucci has reportedly signed on to join the cast of Manual Of Love 3. According to Variety, the actress will play Robert De Niro's love interest in the romantic drama, with the actors' parts spoken in both English and Italian. Producer Aurelio De Laurentiis has suggested that the new lineup will attract a wider audience compared to the first two films, (more)...
- 9/4/2010
- by By Marcell Minaya
- Digital Spy
Manual of Love 3. We already had a little chat about the project that already has Robert de Niro attached to star.
Today, we’re here for a little (lovely) update, because Monica Bellucci will join the cast of this Italian romance film!
Lucky De Niro, because the gorgeous actress is set to play his character’s love interest…
Manual of Love 3 is the third film in the Italian franchise that takes a look at the joys and sorrows of love via several intertwined vignettes, and it will be De Niro’s first foreign-language production for him since 1976, when he starred in Bernardo Bertolucci’s “1900.”
As we already mentioned, he’ll play a divorced American professor living in Rome in one of the four chapters of the movie, and we also know that the role will be partly spoken in Italian.
Monica Bellucci will play the love interest of De Niro’s character,...
Today, we’re here for a little (lovely) update, because Monica Bellucci will join the cast of this Italian romance film!
Lucky De Niro, because the gorgeous actress is set to play his character’s love interest…
Manual of Love 3 is the third film in the Italian franchise that takes a look at the joys and sorrows of love via several intertwined vignettes, and it will be De Niro’s first foreign-language production for him since 1976, when he starred in Bernardo Bertolucci’s “1900.”
As we already mentioned, he’ll play a divorced American professor living in Rome in one of the four chapters of the movie, and we also know that the role will be partly spoken in Italian.
Monica Bellucci will play the love interest of De Niro’s character,...
- 9/3/2010
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
Hollywood actress Monica Bellucci will team up with Robert DeNiro for Manual of Love 3. Monica will play the love interest of De Niro's character, a divorced American professor living in Rome. The actors' parts will be spoken partially in English and partially in Italian, reports contactmusic.com. Producer Aurelio De Laurentiis says the first two movies have been successful in Europe - making a combined total of $45 million at the Italian box office - and that he hopes the presence of the Oscar winner will make his third film a bigger hit. "This third one, with De Niro in the cast, ...
- 9/3/2010
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
First look photos of David Tennant in costume as Vegas magician Peter Vincent in the remake of Fright Night, Ian McShane in costume as Blackbeard in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Rihanna on the set of Battleship, Anne Hathaway with a short bob in One Day, filming on Steven Spielberg's War Horse, and some extremely minor nudity for a scene in Conan.
Posters for The Next Three Days, Let Me In, Tron Legacy, Legend of the Guardians, Secretariat, Gasland, Burlesque.
"Bob Hoskins, Jason Flemyng and Talulah Riley are set to star and Willem Dafoe is in talks to star in "Transmission", a sci-fi film about an alien invasion during an solar eclipse. Roger Christian ("Battlefield Earth") is in talks to direct the 3D project..." (full details)
"Monica Bellucci has joined the cast of ensemble comedy "Manual Of Love 3" as the love interest of Robert De Niro's American professor character.
Posters for The Next Three Days, Let Me In, Tron Legacy, Legend of the Guardians, Secretariat, Gasland, Burlesque.
"Bob Hoskins, Jason Flemyng and Talulah Riley are set to star and Willem Dafoe is in talks to star in "Transmission", a sci-fi film about an alien invasion during an solar eclipse. Roger Christian ("Battlefield Earth") is in talks to direct the 3D project..." (full details)
"Monica Bellucci has joined the cast of ensemble comedy "Manual Of Love 3" as the love interest of Robert De Niro's American professor character.
- 9/2/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
London, Sep 2 – Hollywood actress Monica Bellucci will team up with Robert DeNiro for ‘Manual of Love 3′.
Monica will play the love interest of De Niro’s character, a divorced American professor living in Rome. The actors’ parts will be spoken partially in English and partially in Italian, reports contactmusic.com.
Producer Aurelio De Laurentiis says the first two movies have been successful in Europe – making a combined total of $45 million at the Italian box office – and that he hopes the presence of.
Monica will play the love interest of De Niro’s character, a divorced American professor living in Rome. The actors’ parts will be spoken partially in English and partially in Italian, reports contactmusic.com.
Producer Aurelio De Laurentiis says the first two movies have been successful in Europe – making a combined total of $45 million at the Italian box office – and that he hopes the presence of.
- 9/2/2010
- by realbollywood
- RealBollywood.com
Monica Bellucci has joined the cast of 'Manual of Love 3'. The 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' actress will team up with Robert DeNiro for the latest film in the Italian romantic drama franchise. Monica will play the love interest of Robert De Niro's character, a divorced American professor living in Rome. The actors' parts will be spoken partially in English and partially in Italian, Variety reports. Producer Aurelio De Laurentiis said that while the first two movies have been successful in Europe - making a combined total of $45 million at the Italian box office - he hopes that by casting the Oscar winner the ..
- 9/2/2010
- Virgin Media - Movies
While the title makes us think of a porn movie with a sweaty teenager looking to a magic book to win over the busty beauty of his dreams, Manual of Love 3 is actually the third in a line of respected (and successful) Italian romantic dramas and has just added Monica Bellucci to the cast.Producer Aurelio De Laurentiis made the announcement to Variety, pointing to the fact that the first two films, which were released across Europe, have pulled in $45 million. Now he’s looking further afield, casting Robert De Niro as an American professor to pump up interest elsewhere."This third one, with De Niro in the cast, will have greater international ambitions," says the producer.Few other details are available, except for the fact that Bellucci will play a woman who falls for De Niro’s character. To which we can only say: you lucky, lucky git.De...
- 9/2/2010
- EmpireOnline
The Venice Film Festival opens Wednesday with its share of big-screen bound blockbuster potential, from Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan," to Sofia Coppola's highly anticipated "Somewhere" and Ben Affleck's sophomore directorial effort, "The Town."But director Marco Mueller says that the economic downturn has forced even big name directors to come up with cheaper means of production, giving rise to innovation and an "in-between" budget category . bridging low-budget under a million dollars and mid-range of around (Euro)6 million-(Euro)7 million ($7.5 million to $9 million)."In between there was very little. And now several people rush to occupy that special space," Mueller told The Associated Press in an interview. "Because it's also the space where with some local, regional subsidy, some private money, and maybe with a few distributors interested in the project you can get your film off the ground.
- 8/31/2010
- Filmicafe
Rome -- The world's oldest film festival gets underway for the 67th time Wednesday, this time with an unusually Italian feel to it.
The relative youth of the directors represented in competition (average age: 47), or the relatively small budgets of the main films set to screen (because of the economic crisis) have received plenty of attention internationally. But in Italy, attention has focused on how well represented the country's films are at the storied event.
All told, 41 Italian films will screen in the festival's four official selections, almost double the 22 that screened a year ago. Four -- generally considered the unofficial limit for homegrown productions – will screen in competition, and the festival will also host a special sidebar on Italian comedy for the half century ending in the 1980s.
A day before the festival officially gets underway, wheels were already in motion: noted Italian producer Aurelio De Laurentiis was given...
The relative youth of the directors represented in competition (average age: 47), or the relatively small budgets of the main films set to screen (because of the economic crisis) have received plenty of attention internationally. But in Italy, attention has focused on how well represented the country's films are at the storied event.
All told, 41 Italian films will screen in the festival's four official selections, almost double the 22 that screened a year ago. Four -- generally considered the unofficial limit for homegrown productions – will screen in competition, and the festival will also host a special sidebar on Italian comedy for the half century ending in the 1980s.
A day before the festival officially gets underway, wheels were already in motion: noted Italian producer Aurelio De Laurentiis was given...
- 8/31/2010
- by By Eric J. Lyman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Whenever and whereever Robert De Niro is involved in some project we’re signed in as well! Even if it’s some romantic comedy, like the latest reports indicate!
Yes, you read it correctly, great De Niro is in talks to star in the latest installment of film franchise Manuale d’amore (or if you prefer Manual of Love 3), the latest installment of the franchise produced by Aurelio De Laurentiis. Now that sounds…meraviglioso?
At this moment, we know that De Niro’s role will be partly spoken in Italian, and the actor will play “a divorced American professor living in Rome in one of the four chapters of the movie.”
All three pics have been helmed by Giovanni Veronesi, and the movie will start shooting in Rome on September 24.
So what can we expect from this project? It’s not such a big surprise to see De Niro in something like this,...
Yes, you read it correctly, great De Niro is in talks to star in the latest installment of film franchise Manuale d’amore (or if you prefer Manual of Love 3), the latest installment of the franchise produced by Aurelio De Laurentiis. Now that sounds…meraviglioso?
At this moment, we know that De Niro’s role will be partly spoken in Italian, and the actor will play “a divorced American professor living in Rome in one of the four chapters of the movie.”
All three pics have been helmed by Giovanni Veronesi, and the movie will start shooting in Rome on September 24.
So what can we expect from this project? It’s not such a big surprise to see De Niro in something like this,...
- 8/27/2010
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
Robert De Niro is in final talks to join the cast of the Italian romance "Manual of Love 3." According to Variety, Giovanni Veronesi is directing the latest installment of the franchise produced by Aurelio De Laurentiis. All three installments have been directed by Veronesi.De Niro.s role, a divorced American professor living in Rome, will be partly spoken in Italian.The film will start shooting in Rome on September 24.The two previous "Manual of Love" films opened in 2005 and 2007 and grossed a total of $45 million at the Italian box office.It will be the first foreign-language production for De Niro since 1976, when he starred in Bernardo Bertolucci's epic "1900."De Niro will be seen next in the upcoming films...
- 8/18/2010
- by Adnan Tezer
- Monsters and Critics
Rome -- The Ischia Film & Music Global Fest, the seven-year-old festival held on a small island off the coast of Naples, is not short on ambition.
"Our aim is to help promote an important cultural exchange between the United States and Italy, and to watch see some good movies while we're at it," the festival's founder Pascal Vicedomini said in an interview.
There's little doubt that Vicedomini is doing more than his part. In addition to starting the Ischia Film & Music Global Fest in 2003, he also founded the Capri/Hollywood Film Festival -- also held off the coast of Naples, and famous as the last and first festival on any film festival calendar, bridging New Years with each edition -- in 1995, and the Los Angeles/Italy Film Festival, which has taken place in conjunction with the Oscars every year since 2006. All three events have one thing in common -- bringing U.
"Our aim is to help promote an important cultural exchange between the United States and Italy, and to watch see some good movies while we're at it," the festival's founder Pascal Vicedomini said in an interview.
There's little doubt that Vicedomini is doing more than his part. In addition to starting the Ischia Film & Music Global Fest in 2003, he also founded the Capri/Hollywood Film Festival -- also held off the coast of Naples, and famous as the last and first festival on any film festival calendar, bridging New Years with each edition -- in 1995, and the Los Angeles/Italy Film Festival, which has taken place in conjunction with the Oscars every year since 2006. All three events have one thing in common -- bringing U.
- 7/7/2009
- by By Eric J. Lyman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rome -- Italian film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis on Friday was presented with the Knights of Labor honor from the country's president Giorgio Napolitano.
De Laurentiis, 59, is head of the successful production company Filmauro and a member of Italy's best-known cinema industry families.
But he is not the first member of the family to be honored with Italy's highest civilian honor: Luigi, Aurelio's father, was so honored in 2000, and his uncle Dino received the same honor in 1966 -- both for their work in the cinema industry.
De Laurentiis, 59, is head of the successful production company Filmauro and a member of Italy's best-known cinema industry families.
But he is not the first member of the family to be honored with Italy's highest civilian honor: Luigi, Aurelio's father, was so honored in 2000, and his uncle Dino received the same honor in 1966 -- both for their work in the cinema industry.
- 10/31/2008
- by By Eric J. Lyman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Venice -- Cinecitta Holding, the parent company of Italy's storied Cinecitta Studios, is becoming more private.
With the creation of the Italian Entertainment Group -- backed by film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis, fashion magnate Diego Della Valle, banker Luigi Abete and the Haggiag family, prominent Roman financiers -- effective control of the company will pass into private hands Monday.
It is not clear what impact the change will have on the way Cinecitta Holding is run.
With the creation of the Italian Entertainment Group -- backed by film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis, fashion magnate Diego Della Valle, banker Luigi Abete and the Haggiag family, prominent Roman financiers -- effective control of the company will pass into private hands Monday.
It is not clear what impact the change will have on the way Cinecitta Holding is run.
- 8/28/2008
- by By Eric J. Lyman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TAORMINA, Italy -- Aurelio De Laurentiis' production company Filmauro is getting involved in the home entertainment business, distributing digitized versions of its productions through the Medusa Video network.
The deal, which will take effect in July, links two of the biggest names in the Italian media world: De Laurentiis, nephew of famed producer Dino De Laurentiis, and the son of the late producer Luigi De Laurentiis, has produced some of the highest-grossing Italian films in the past three years. Medusa Video is a subsidiary of broadcast giant Mediaset, controlled by billionaire media tycoon and current Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The deal will see Filmauro productions developed in a home entertainment format by Filmauro Home Video and distributed by Medusa Video.
The first film distributed under the agreement will be comic actor Carlo Verdone's "Grande, Grosso ... e Verdone" (Great, Grand ... and Verdone), one of the most successful Italian films of the year so far.
The deal, which will take effect in July, links two of the biggest names in the Italian media world: De Laurentiis, nephew of famed producer Dino De Laurentiis, and the son of the late producer Luigi De Laurentiis, has produced some of the highest-grossing Italian films in the past three years. Medusa Video is a subsidiary of broadcast giant Mediaset, controlled by billionaire media tycoon and current Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The deal will see Filmauro productions developed in a home entertainment format by Filmauro Home Video and distributed by Medusa Video.
The first film distributed under the agreement will be comic actor Carlo Verdone's "Grande, Grosso ... e Verdone" (Great, Grand ... and Verdone), one of the most successful Italian films of the year so far.
- 6/20/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ROME -- Italy's David di Donatello awards have pushed back the closing date for nominations, ostensibly to accommodate actor-director Carlo Verdone, who complained about the early deadline because his upcoming film, "Grande Groso e Verdone" (Grand, Big and Verdone), would have been in theaters too late for consideration. It opens in Italy on Feb. 29.
Organizers of the award said Monday that the new deadline for a film's Italian release is March 7, eight days later than the previous deadline. According to the Italian media, at least two other films that could earn Donatello noms are set to open Feb. 29.
Verdone said last week that he would not attend the Donatello ceremony in protest of the early deadline. As of Monday, there was no word whether the change of dates would prompt him to rethink his plans not to participate.
The move sparked a firestorm in the local press, with famed film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis backing the move in Monday's edition of Rome daily Il Messaggero and Ricardo Tozzi, president of the cinema, audiovisual and multimedia association ANICA, saying that the Donatello organizers risked looking "ridiculous."
Gianluca Rondi, president of the Donatello organizing committee, said he was against a change of dates.
Organizers of the award said Monday that the new deadline for a film's Italian release is March 7, eight days later than the previous deadline. According to the Italian media, at least two other films that could earn Donatello noms are set to open Feb. 29.
Verdone said last week that he would not attend the Donatello ceremony in protest of the early deadline. As of Monday, there was no word whether the change of dates would prompt him to rethink his plans not to participate.
The move sparked a firestorm in the local press, with famed film producer Aurelio De Laurentiis backing the move in Monday's edition of Rome daily Il Messaggero and Ricardo Tozzi, president of the cinema, audiovisual and multimedia association ANICA, saying that the Donatello organizers risked looking "ridiculous."
Gianluca Rondi, president of the Donatello organizing committee, said he was against a change of dates.
- 1/22/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ROME -- Aurelio De Laurentiis is mulling a plan that would combine his two most visible professional interests: moviemaking and soccer.
The Neapolitan daily Il Mattino reported Monday that De Laurentiis is planning the construction of a new 65,000-seat soccer stadium to house his SSC Napoli soccer club. The stadium also will include a film studio and the offices of Filmauro, the production company he owns.
The report was confirmed by an SSC Napoli spokesman, who added that the project would take about five years to complete. Filmauro declined comment.
De Laurentiis is not the only media tycoon involved in Italian soccer. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi controls both broadcaster Mediaset and the club AC Milan.
Famed producer Mario Cecchi Gori owned a film production company that carried his name and the Fiorentina soccer club, though son Vittorio gave up control of the soccer team a decade after his father's death in 1993.
The Agnelli family that controls carmaker Fiat also controls the club Juventus and has media-related holdings.
The Neapolitan daily Il Mattino reported Monday that De Laurentiis is planning the construction of a new 65,000-seat soccer stadium to house his SSC Napoli soccer club. The stadium also will include a film studio and the offices of Filmauro, the production company he owns.
The report was confirmed by an SSC Napoli spokesman, who added that the project would take about five years to complete. Filmauro declined comment.
De Laurentiis is not the only media tycoon involved in Italian soccer. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi controls both broadcaster Mediaset and the club AC Milan.
Famed producer Mario Cecchi Gori owned a film production company that carried his name and the Fiorentina soccer club, though son Vittorio gave up control of the soccer team a decade after his father's death in 1993.
The Agnelli family that controls carmaker Fiat also controls the club Juventus and has media-related holdings.
- 10/16/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ROME -- Napoli will be the first top-division Italian soccer team to forgo its own television deal, opting instead to broadcast its games online beginning with the fifth week of the season.
The team, owned by film producer and Filmauro CEO Aurelio De Laurentiis, has rejected the terms offered by broadcasters Mediaset and Sky Italia, which combine to broadcast all the games in soccer's Serie A. Those networks will continue to broadcast Napoli games but under the terms of the contract with the team's opponent. Those deals will still generate income for Napoli, according to press reports.
Napoli, newly promoted from Serie B, is off to a strong start this year, sitting in a tie for third with perennial powerhouse Juventus after three weeks. But beginning in the fifth week, fans who want to follow the team's fortunes will be able to do so online.
In an interview that appeared on the club's Web site, De Laurentiis said the move to subscription-based online broadcasting is being made to provide the team and fans with more flexibility.
The team, owned by film producer and Filmauro CEO Aurelio De Laurentiis, has rejected the terms offered by broadcasters Mediaset and Sky Italia, which combine to broadcast all the games in soccer's Serie A. Those networks will continue to broadcast Napoli games but under the terms of the contract with the team's opponent. Those deals will still generate income for Napoli, according to press reports.
Napoli, newly promoted from Serie B, is off to a strong start this year, sitting in a tie for third with perennial powerhouse Juventus after three weeks. But beginning in the fifth week, fans who want to follow the team's fortunes will be able to do so online.
In an interview that appeared on the club's Web site, De Laurentiis said the move to subscription-based online broadcasting is being made to provide the team and fans with more flexibility.
- 9/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ROME -- Gianni Amelio's Le chiavi di casa (The Keys to the House) was awarded Italy's Nastro D'Argento for best film, and Sergio Castellitto's Non Ti Muovere (Don't Move) garnered three awards, including best screenplay. Sophomore director Paolo Sorrentino and his film Le conseguenze dell'amore (The Consequences of Love) also fared well, with the film's protagonist Toni Servillo winning best actor, Raffaele Pisu winning best supporting actor and Sorrentino himself winning the Nastro D'Argento for best subject. Aurelio De Laurentiis was awarded the best producer award for his work on Che ne sara di noi (What Will Happen to Us) and Tutto in quella notte (All in a Night).
There's more good news for Aurelio De Laurentiis and his $70 million investment, The World of Tomorrow. Variety reports that Paramount, who acquired North American rights to World earlier this summer, will also handle distribution in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. The sci-fi/actioner, set in 1939 New York, concerns a reporter who teams up with a skilled pilot to thwart a mad scientist's designs on world domination. Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow topline the feature, with Angelina Jolie, Giovanni Ribisi and Bai Ling in supporting roles. World is the first feature from director/CGI whiz-kid Kenny Conran, who's reportedly already working on the sequel in what could become a three-picture franchise. Though no release date has been set, the film is slated to complete post-production next June.
- 8/29/2003
- IMDbPro News
Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow will topline the big-budget science fiction thriller The World of Tomorrow from first-time writer-director Kerry Conran. The film aims to go into production in late February in London. Jon Avnet and Marsha Oglesby, who developed the project, are producing through their Brooklyn Films along with Law and his wife, Sadie Frost. Italian-based producer Aurelio De Laurentiis, who is financing the film, is executive producing with cousin Raffaella De Laurentiis and Bill Haber. The project is described by the producers as "retro sci-fi" in the vein of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Set at the turn of the 20th century, it follows a reporter (Paltrow) and pilot (Law) who team up on an adventure.
- 12/9/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"The Best Man" (Il Testimone dello Sposa) is a sometimes charming fairy tale about love set in the tradition-laden end of the 19th century. The feature, showcased at the Berlin Film Festival, has a few magical moments, but its slow pace makes this pretty love story a risky bet when it comes to boxoffice returns.
Italian star Diego Abatantuono ("Mediterraneo") plays the closed-mouthed, macho Angelo, who returns to Italy after making his fortune in America to serve as best man at a friend's wedding on New Year's Eve 1899. The bride in this arranged marriage is the stunningly beautiful Francesca (Ines Sastre), but she is not attracted to her groom, Edgardo (Dario Cantarelli), and pines for true love.
When Francesca's eyes meet Angelo's at the altar, it's love at first sight, but she has already said "I do", and the evening that follows is a disaster.
Francesca is torn between admitting her newfound love and hiding it to protect her family, and her mother (Valeria D'Obici) is sent into a tailspin trying to control the damage. (To make matters worse, Francesca's father is in debt to Edgardo).
The most charming parts of the film are director-screenwriter Pupi Avati's observations of the family's and neighbors' quirky social interaction and of the sometimes superstitious Catholic-influenced wedding traditions of the time.
But those moments don't come as fast as they should, the dialogue is not witty enough, and the mishaps are not as funny as they should be. Worse, we are never sure whether Angelo shares Francesca's feelings, a serious flaw in the film.
THE BEST MAN (Il Testimone dello Sposa)
Luigi & Aurelio De Laurentiis and Antonio Avati present
a Filmauro/Duea Film production
Director-screenwriter: Pupi Avati
Producers: Aurelio De Laurentiis, Antonio Avati
Director of photography: Pasquale Rachini
Production designers: Alberto Cottignoli,
Steno Tonelli
Costume designer: Vittoria Guaita
Editor: Amedeo Salfa
Music: Riz Ortolani
Cast:
Angelo: Diego Abatantuono
Francesca: Ines Sastre
Edgardo: Dario Cantarelli
Peppina: Cinzia Mascoli
Olimpia: Valeria D'Obici
Manlio: Toni Santagata...
Italian star Diego Abatantuono ("Mediterraneo") plays the closed-mouthed, macho Angelo, who returns to Italy after making his fortune in America to serve as best man at a friend's wedding on New Year's Eve 1899. The bride in this arranged marriage is the stunningly beautiful Francesca (Ines Sastre), but she is not attracted to her groom, Edgardo (Dario Cantarelli), and pines for true love.
When Francesca's eyes meet Angelo's at the altar, it's love at first sight, but she has already said "I do", and the evening that follows is a disaster.
Francesca is torn between admitting her newfound love and hiding it to protect her family, and her mother (Valeria D'Obici) is sent into a tailspin trying to control the damage. (To make matters worse, Francesca's father is in debt to Edgardo).
The most charming parts of the film are director-screenwriter Pupi Avati's observations of the family's and neighbors' quirky social interaction and of the sometimes superstitious Catholic-influenced wedding traditions of the time.
But those moments don't come as fast as they should, the dialogue is not witty enough, and the mishaps are not as funny as they should be. Worse, we are never sure whether Angelo shares Francesca's feelings, a serious flaw in the film.
THE BEST MAN (Il Testimone dello Sposa)
Luigi & Aurelio De Laurentiis and Antonio Avati present
a Filmauro/Duea Film production
Director-screenwriter: Pupi Avati
Producers: Aurelio De Laurentiis, Antonio Avati
Director of photography: Pasquale Rachini
Production designers: Alberto Cottignoli,
Steno Tonelli
Costume designer: Vittoria Guaita
Editor: Amedeo Salfa
Music: Riz Ortolani
Cast:
Angelo: Diego Abatantuono
Francesca: Ines Sastre
Edgardo: Dario Cantarelli
Peppina: Cinzia Mascoli
Olimpia: Valeria D'Obici
Manlio: Toni Santagata...
- 2/23/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Pupi Avati's feature deals with the madness and turmoil surrounding a film festival, specifically Venice's, so it's altogether fitting that it should have its U.S. premiere at a film fest, in this case the 14th Miami Film Festival. This quietly absorbing movie is likely to be of more interest to those who attend such events than the general public, but it has several qualities that recommend it, particularly a subtle and powerful performance from Massimo Boldi.
Boldi plays Franco Melis, an Italian comedian who has fallen on hard times after a sex-and-drugs scandal obliterated his successful movie and television career. He has been reduced to playing in small clubs, where he's heckled by drunks. His personal life is equally a shambles; he left his wife and son and lost most of his friends. Only his loyal agent sticks by him.
Melis takes a starring role in a small independent film from a first- time director and finds himself on a career upswing. Suddenly, although his presence is overshadowed by the big American stars and the sexy starlets, he is a candidate for the best actor prize at Venice. Melis is convinced that he won't win because of an unspecified incident from his past involving one of the judges on the jury, but, despite his well-honed reservations, he allows his hopes to rise.
Avati takes a subtle approach to his satire, and the film documents the craziness of film festivals without lapsing into overly broad humor. It could be argued that he takes too quiet an approach; both in the direction and the performances, the film rarely strikes more than a single note, and at times it borders on the monotonous. Still, it has many quietly observed moments that ring true, and its delineation of the hollowness and self-absorption of its lead character is an apt portrait of show-business egomania turned inward. Boldi beautifully captures the essential sadness typical of so many comedians and admirably never softens his characterization to beg audience sympathy.
FESTIVAL
Filmauro
Director Pupi Avati
Story-screenplay Pupi Avati,
in collaboration with Antonio Avati,
Giorgio Gosetti, Doriano Fasoli, Nino Marino
Producers Antonio Avati, Aurelio De Laurentiis Cinematographer Chicca Ungaro
Editor Amadeo Salfa
Music Pino Donaggio
Color/stereo
Cast:
Franco Massimo Boldi
Alexandra Isabelle Pasco
Renzo Polpo Gianni Cavina
Carloa Margaret Mazzantini
Running time -- 97 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Boldi plays Franco Melis, an Italian comedian who has fallen on hard times after a sex-and-drugs scandal obliterated his successful movie and television career. He has been reduced to playing in small clubs, where he's heckled by drunks. His personal life is equally a shambles; he left his wife and son and lost most of his friends. Only his loyal agent sticks by him.
Melis takes a starring role in a small independent film from a first- time director and finds himself on a career upswing. Suddenly, although his presence is overshadowed by the big American stars and the sexy starlets, he is a candidate for the best actor prize at Venice. Melis is convinced that he won't win because of an unspecified incident from his past involving one of the judges on the jury, but, despite his well-honed reservations, he allows his hopes to rise.
Avati takes a subtle approach to his satire, and the film documents the craziness of film festivals without lapsing into overly broad humor. It could be argued that he takes too quiet an approach; both in the direction and the performances, the film rarely strikes more than a single note, and at times it borders on the monotonous. Still, it has many quietly observed moments that ring true, and its delineation of the hollowness and self-absorption of its lead character is an apt portrait of show-business egomania turned inward. Boldi beautifully captures the essential sadness typical of so many comedians and admirably never softens his characterization to beg audience sympathy.
FESTIVAL
Filmauro
Director Pupi Avati
Story-screenplay Pupi Avati,
in collaboration with Antonio Avati,
Giorgio Gosetti, Doriano Fasoli, Nino Marino
Producers Antonio Avati, Aurelio De Laurentiis Cinematographer Chicca Ungaro
Editor Amadeo Salfa
Music Pino Donaggio
Color/stereo
Cast:
Franco Massimo Boldi
Alexandra Isabelle Pasco
Renzo Polpo Gianni Cavina
Carloa Margaret Mazzantini
Running time -- 97 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 2/13/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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