Rome Film Festival, spotlight on the capital: the red carpet of the 20th edition and the tribute to Cardinale

Twenty years of films, short films, catwalks and spotlights focused on Rome. But, above all, twenty years in which the most prestigious film festival in the capital has managed not to lose the character that is already present in its name: Film festival. With the sequins, the exclusive parties and the international guests – who are there – but without ever compromising that atmosphere of a great collective, widespread and participatory event. This year more than ever, with the headquarters set up once again at theEnnio Morricone Music Park Auditoriumbut hundreds of screenings and appointments in program from one end of the city to the other.

Riccardo Milani opens the 20th edition

The twentieth edition, directed by Paola Malangaofficially kicked off on October 15th on the record-breaking red carpet – 1,300 m2 – which leads to the Cavea of the Music Park. And he did it with an opening film, out of competition in the Grand Public section, which tells a small but powerful Italian story: «Life goes like this» by Riccardo Milaniset in a corner of Sardinia where a community finds itself caught between the dream of work and the defense of the territory and its identity.

Il red carpet

The red carpet was right on time of the opening ceremony conducted by Emma Stockholmthe first to arrive: «I’m very happy to be here this evening, it’s been a long time since my heart beat so fast. Last night I couldn’t sleep because of emotion.” The radio speaker was keen to clarify: «I’m not a godmother and I’m not here for myself, but for the cinema. I’m just therehost of the event. Even though my experiences at the cinema directed by Verdone and Virzì were unforgettable. If the cinema still wants me, I’ll be happy.”

After her a parade of well-known faces from cinema and politics (with a bipartisan audience): Roberto Bolle who improvised a ballet with Virginia Raffaelein the cast of Milani – arriving in a light rain she said «Wet film, lucky film» -, Marco Bellocchio, Diego AbatantuonoCaterina Balivo, Anna Foglietta with her daughter, Luca Argentero with his wife Cristina Marino, Matteo Renzi with Agnese Landini, then Margareth Madè, Pier Ferdinando Casini, Gianni Letta, Maurizio Gasparri, Gianmarco Mazzi, Luca Zingaretti with Luisa RanieriRita Rusic, Michele Riondino, Ermal Meta, Giulio Base with Tiziana Rocca, the couple Silvia Verdone and Christian De Sicawho hugged the mayor Roberto Gualtieri shouting a resounding “Bravo”.

Gualtieri: «Popular festival and quality cinema»

“We are excited because this is the 20th anniversary celebration,” he said Gualtieri — a special celebration, there are many films: 163 from 38 countries. And tonight we’re off to a great start. We are happy that Rome is the capital of cinema, that there is a nice atmosphere and we want it to be fThis is popular and at the same time of the highest level who looks at the world with complex, even difficult, films that will help us understand the complex moment we are experiencing.”

Alice in the city

A festival for everyone therefore, even for kids (of all ages) thanks to the programming of «Alice in the city», a parallel and independent festival of the Rome Film Festival, which opened the day with two auteur films: «Sharks» by Daniele Barbiero, with James Franco e Lorenzo Zurzololiterally besieged by young Roman fans with selfies and hugs; and the horror movie «Good Boy», out of competition, which gave the most unusual red carpet of the day: the director Ben Leonberg he paraded with the protagonist of the film, the dog Indy and other four-legged friends.

Paola Cortellesi: «Here to make my husband anxious»

Ironic on the red carpet Paola Cortellesipresident of the competition jury: «Many think that I am here to brag about the successes of “There’s still tomorrow“, presented at the Festival two years ago. But no, my aim is more petty: I want to make my husband anxious (Riccardo Milani, ndr.) who opens the festival this evening with his film and is too serene.” Big crowd for her, welcomed with a kiss by the CEO of Fondazione Musica per Roma, Raffaele Ranucci: «For the Auditorium the Festival represents a special moment. Its spaces, created for music, open up to dialogue between the arts: rooms and foyers come alive with meetings, films and debates, giving back the idea of ​​a a place that becomes a communitycelebrating cinema in all its forms for 20 years.”

Homage to Claudia Cardinale

Finally, the applause in the room, before the screening of the film, was for the homage to Claudia Cardinalewho passed away last September 23: «She was one of the greatest protagonists of world cinema. It represented the strength, beauty and hospitality of the great Mediterranean tradition. But also the sweetness and independence of which women are capable”, concluded the president of Cinema per Roma Salvo Nastasi.

Go to all the news of Rome

Subscribe to the Corriere Roma newsletter