L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 3 Best Costume Design on Sunday, February 22, for her masterful contribution to Wes Anderson's movie Grand Budapest Hotel. The critically acclaimed film was awarded four Oscars out of nine nominations , and all of them for those categories that can make the difference: Production Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, and Costume Design. An extravagant comedy set in a luxury mountain hotel, located in the fictional republic of Zubrowka, in Europe, the film describes the youth of a lobby boy at the Grand Budapest and his friendship with the eccentric hotel's concier ge, M ons ieur Gustave. His elegant uniform, as well as the other stunning vintage cos- tumes and accessories, dating back to the 1930s, were designed by Milena Canonero, a well- established and talented artist, who had worked with the film- maker also in The Darjeeling Limited (2007). From Turin to Hollywood, via London. After studying costume design and design history in Genoa, Milena Canonero moved to England and began her career in minor theater and film produc- tions. As she continued to work for several opera stagings, her big-screen debut was with direc- tor Stanley Kubrick in master- pieces the likes of A Clockwork Orange (1971), Barry Lyndon (Oscar in 1976), and Shining (1980). The long-lasting and mutually beneficial collabora- tion was then followed by her participation in Francis Ford Coppola's Cotton Club (1984) and T he G odfather Par t III O n F e b r u a r y 1 6 t h , t h o u - sands of people gathered in Ivrea, Italy to begin what is known as the traditional and h i s t o r i c a l B a t t l e o f t h e Oranges. There are many cele- bratory carnivals all around town, and people quarrelling among the sticky and citrusy f o o d f i g h t b a t t l e s i n t h e Piedmont town of Ivrea. There were approximately 20,000 people watching and battling altogether, those who were taking part in the food fight were divided into nine separate combat teams. Teams battling in wooden carts were suited up with armor and hel- mets, while those on the streets were not so protected. Even t h o u g h e a c h t e a m h a d t h e mindset of throwing oranges at each other, the ancient tradi- tional idea stems from the com- m e m o r a t i o n o f m e d i e v a l I v r e a ' s d e f i a n c e a g a i n s t i t s tyrant. The traditional Battle of the Oranges in Ivrea, Italy, serves to be one of the most ancient traditions beginning in the 19th century. In this event celebra- tion, people throw oranges to each other in what is consid- ered the largest "food fight" ever in Italy. Every place and square in the city of Ivrea is covered in the color orange; this special event is one of the most popular events to bring in travelers and spectators from all around the world to watch, and in some cases, there are reserved rooms made specifi- cally to view the orange fights. Spectators and participants alike needed to follow some strict rules and guidelines in order for the event to pan out fairly and so that there are no s e r i o u s i n j u r i e s . I t i s v e r y important for the town to main- tain the safety of this event, but still celebrate full throttle and keep the tradition alive. T h i s y e a r , t h e c r o w d s o f spectators and tourists were l o w e r i n c o u n t t h a n o f p a s t Battles of Oranges, but this is due to unfavorable weather and a rise in ticket prices. There were also reported 142 people who were slightly injured from the event, almost all from the first day of the battle. Despite t h e w o u n d e d a n d t h e s l i g h t d r o p i n n u m b e r o f t i c k e t s bought, the ancient tradition was undoubtedly honored and left the town and townspeople proudly covered in orange. Battle of the Oranges 2015 – The Traditional "Food Fight" (1990). In thos e years , s he als o designed costumes for celebrat- ed filmmakers Sidney Pollack (Out of Africa, 1985), Warren Beatty (Dick Tracy, 1990), and H ugh H uds on, w hos e film Char iots of Fir e earned her another Oscar in 1982. Her second to last win was more recent, in 2007, for her faithful rendering of the 18 th fashion in Sofia Coppola's his- torical drama Marie Antoniette. This year's competition was quite intens e for G r and Budapes t H otel and M ilena Canonero - matched agains t Inherent Vice, Into the Woods, Maleficent and Mr. Turner -, and she wanted to praise all the col- leagues in her acceptance speech. Regardless of any bad luck, the Italian community of Los Angeles had started celebrating the successful designer a few days prior to the Award ceremo- ny, by honoring her with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Italian Cultural Institute, in the presence of representatives of the Italian Institutions and the film industry. Just as everybody expected, Milena Canonero didn't fail and added one more s tatuette to Italy's collection. IIC Director Valeria Rumori and Milena Canonero BECKY ZEFERINO The Grand Budapest Hotel began the night with wins for costume designer Milena Canonero, the fourth of her career The Battle of the Oranges is considered the largest "food Fight" in Italy Continued from page 1

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