L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 T he wounds left by the wildfires are still fresh, but the film industry does not stop. Soon, the most photographed and anticipated red carpet of the year will cover t h e d u s t l e f t b e h i n d b y t h e flames, especially in areas such as Altadena, Palisades, Pasade- na, Eaton, and many other hills of Los Angeles that have been ravaged by fire. In the background remains the despair of those who must rebuild from the burnt ashes— everything that is left of their homes. They face enormous daily challenges in reorganizing and rethinking their lives, dealing with extensive damage and environmental fears.The fires have not only released vast amounts of particulate matter and green- house gases into the atmosphere during those hellish days but have also scattered toxic dust, fueling what is shaping up to be one of the worst environmental crises—not just for the directly affected areas but also for the Pacific Ocean. For instance, where will the mountains of ash that have accu- The show must go on: Los Angeles starts over from cinema From the Editor mulated near the beaches of the burned-out Palisades area end up — or where have they already gone? This is not just a matter of imagining the risks to swimming conditions; it is about understanding that we are witnessing an unprecedented eco- logical disaster, with submerged ecosystems now at risk in ways never faced before. Not even the most catastrophic Hollywood film could have imagined what actually happened. The frame of a movie would be too small to capture the full extent of this tragedy — the way it has devastated the environment, scarred the landscape, erased our historical memory of these places, and left so many people speechless, homeless, powerless, pen- niless, and, in some cases, without any prospects. Yet on the Dolby Theatre stage, we will see that dazzling and frivolous world of glitz and glamour, a stark contrast to the exhausting struggle for survival that so many are still enduring in the wake of these fires. But Hollywood, true to its nature, is already looking ahead. If we talk about expectations, Italy is crossing its fingers for Isabella Rossellini, the Italian-born, naturalized American actress. However, there is also a sense of disappointment over the exclusion of Vermiglio by Maura Delpero, which had been expected to compete in the Best International Feature category. The Academy's jury instead selected Emilia Pérez by Jacques Audiard for France (a top contender), I am Still Here by Wal- ter Salles for Brazil, The Seed of the Sacred Fig by Iranian film- maker Mohammad Rasoulof (competing for Germany), Flow by Gints Zilbalodis for Latvia, and The Girl With the Needle by Magnus Van Horn for Denmark. Adding to the disappoint- ment, Luca Guadagnino was also snubbed for Best Original Score — his film Challengers, featuring a soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, failed to secure a nomination. Italy's only real hope now rests in the Best Supporting Actress category, where the stunning daughter of Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman will compete against Zoe Sal- daña (Emilia Pérez), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), and Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown). Rossellini's nomination is a beautiful acknowledgment of her long international career. At 72, reflecting on her illustrious parents, she shared a heartfelt message on her widely followed social media: "I would have loved for them to be alive to tell them, but they will know from above." In Conclave, the film that earned her this nomination, she plays a nun in a story based on Robert Harris' novel about the behind-the-scenes intrigues of a hypothetical papal election. As the only woman in a world dominated by Church princes, she commands brief but powerful attention. With very few lines, she exudes charisma, dignity, and authority. In just ten min- utes, Rossellini gives her character depth, presence, and per- sonality, making a lasting impression. She said she drew inspi- ration from the nuns of her childhood, yet what truly stands out is her unconventional charm—a quality that has always been a hallmark of her career. At 28 years old, considered a "late" start in the fashion industry, she became a model. Women identified with her because she was so different from the androgynous, sophisti- cated beauty standards of the time — a reassuring presence in an era of unattainable ideals. Even later in life, she was chosen as the face of a major beauty brand. With her image, an impor- tant French company marked the beginning of a new era — she became a symbol of elegance and authenticity, of timeless beauty that spoke to millions of women who, like her, were growing older. This nomination — or rather, these ten minutes on screen that frame her gaze — once again highlight her distinctive pres- ence.They remind us that it's not about how much time one has, but about seeing things for what they truly are and the depth with which they are done — often, that matters more than anything else. A lesson that goes beyond Hollywood. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2024 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 Selling Homes Throughout The Bay Area Adele Della Santina "The Right Realtor makes all the di昀erence." 650.400.4747 Adele.DellaSantina@compass.com www.AdeleDS.com DRE# 00911740 Expert in preparation, promotion, and negotiation!

• Cover