L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 www.italoamericano.org 22 L'Italo-Americano I want to thank the Italian e m b a s s y i n W a s h i n g t o n , r e p r e s e n t e d b y A r m a n d o Varricchio for having cho- sen us. How challenging was to organize the festival during the pandemic? Over the years, this festi- v a l h a s b e c o m e a h i g h l y anticipated event, because it represents a rare oppor- t u n i t y f o r m a n y I t a l i a n a r t i s t s t o r e a c h a w i d e r audience in an internation- al context. Despite the com- plicated historical period the whole world had to face, Filming Italy continued its r u n , f r o m S a r d i n i a t o Venice, firmly believing in the importance and power o f c u l t u r e , h o p i n g f o r a prompt rebirth for cinema and its productions." How did the festival have to adapt? T h e f e s t i v a l , i n d i g i t a l mode, will be held on the s t r e a m i n g p l a t f o r m o f M y M o v i e s , w h i c h f o r t h e occasion will create a virtu- al hall with 1500 seats for t h e L o s A n g e l e s p u b l i c , including producers, dis- tributors, departments and film students. To ensure all s a f e t y p a r a m e t e r s a r e respected, online screen- ings will also be protected w i t h H o l l y w o o d G r a d e DRM and only visible in the United States. T h i s y e a r , t o o , t h e f e s t i v a l w i l l r e w a r d w o m e n i n t h e f i l m industry with a special prize. Y e s , t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n with Women in Film, TV & Media Italy was confirmed this year as well. Born in Los Angeles, WIF has been s u p p o r t i n g w o m e n w h o h a v e w o r k e d i n t h e f i l m i n d u s t r y a n d b e h i n d t h e camera since 1973. Today, WIF organizations around the world are working for a fairer sector through aware- ness programs, incentives a n d l e g a l s u p p o r t . T h e W o m a n P o w e r A w a r d was born from this partner- ship, to support women in the world of cinema: talent- ed screenwriters, actresses and producers. In addition, t h e r e w i l l a l s o b e t h e C e r t i f i c a t e o f Recognition of the City of Los Angeles, a special cer- t i f i c a t e d e l i v e r e d b y L o s Angeles City Council mem- ber Joe Buscaino to Italian a c t o r s a n d d i r e c t o r s w h o distinguished themselves d u r i n g t h e y e a r w i t h t h e stories they told. T h e f o c u s w i l l n o t only be on cinema. That's right, my platform is available not only to pro- mote Italian films abroad, but also to promote the arts that revolve around cinema. All related, made in Italy activities will be highlighted w i t h t h e p r o m o t i o n o f Tirelli tailoring costumes, a n d s e t s b y t h e l i k e s o f Dante Ferretti, Francesca L o S c h i a v o , a n d D i m i t r i Capuani, Matteo Garrone's s e t d e s i g n e r w h o a l s o worked on the recent, new c i n e m a t i c v e r s i o n o f Pinocchio. We will also talk about those who deal with visual effects, as in the case o f t h e f i l m R o m u l u s . I n s h o r t , t h e r e a r e m a n y Italian talents to be valued! F i l m i n g I t a l y - L o s Angeles does not only p a y a t t e n t i o n t o women, but also to the environment. Yes, our festival is atten- tive to the care and protec- tion of the environment. All prizes are made with eco- s u s t a i n a b l e a n d r e c y c l e d materials, to promote envi- ronmental protection and demonstrate that even on these occasions we can pay a t t e n t i o n t o t h e p l a n e t using glass, a "green carpet" and recycled materials. For issues related to environ- mental protection, Filming Italy - Los Angeles renews i t s c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h F a r e A m b i e n t e , t h e European ecological move- ment for sustainable devel- o p m e n t , o f w h i c h t h e philosopher Vincenzo Pepe is president. The festival will wrap March 21st but the 25th is going to be an impor- tant day... Yes, at the end of the fes- tival there will also be the o f f i c i a l d a y d e d i c a t e d t o Dante Alighieri in Italy and in the world, and Filming Italy: Dante 700 will be presented: this review will include the screening of the s i l e n t f i l m L ' I n f e r n o , b y Francesco Bertolini in col- l a b o r a t i o n w i t h t h e Cineteca of Bologna, as well as exclusive Dante readings b y s p e c i a l g u e s t s o f t h e 2021 edition and past edi- t i o n s . T h e i n i t i a t i v e s a r e o r g a n i z e d b y t h e I t a l i a n C u l t u r a l I n s t i t u t e o f L o s Angeles with the Agnus Dei Association, under the aus- p i c e s o f t h e C o n s u l a t e G e n e r a l o f I t a l y i n L o s Angeles. Filming Italy: Dante 700 w i l l a l s o b e p r e s e n t e d i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h t h e Italian Cultural Institutes of C h i c a g o , N e w Y o r k , S a n Francisco and Washington. Continued from page 20 LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE Tiziana Rocca and Harvey Keitel (Photo: Pietro Coccia)

• Cover