Here's a quiz. Which country has won the highest number of Oscars? With 14 winners and 32 nominations in the best foreign films category as of 2021, the answer is Italy.
The land of Federico Fellini and Vittorio De Sica has always been at the forefront of international cinema. The legacy of their national film movement of neorealism, an indispensable chapter in film studies curriculum everywhere, continues to endure in world cinema. To the joy of cinephiles, Italy is now making a dedicated push to present new Italian cinema in theatres across India, and in the process explore co-production possibilities too.
Italian Screens, the festival that will present the best of Italian cinema abroad, is an initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), Cinecittà for the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Ministry of Culture (DGCA-MiC) and the Academy of Italian Cinema - David di Donatello Awards. From October 12 to 15, the spotlight will be on six films nominated for David di Donatello, an award instituted by the Academy of Italian Cinema in 1955 to honor the best Italian and foreign films released each year. The showcase was inaugurated on October 12 in New Delhi with a special screening of Ennio by Giuseppe Tornatore, about the legendary film composer Ennio Morricone.
All screenings will take place simultaneously, until October 15, at PVR cinemas in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and at the historic New Empire cinema in Kolkata.
The initiative is part of a wider project of deepening cultural relations between Italy and India, organised by Cinecittà for the DGCA of the MiC to engage with Bollywood and stimulate meeting opportunities between producers, distributors and creatives of both countries.
Ambassador Lorenzo Angeloni, director general for the Promotion of the Country System (MAECI) said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has always considered the strategic value of audiovisuals as one of the best ways to portray Made in Italy abroad and promote Italian excellence. We have therefore decided to enhance Italian Screens in India as a celebration of the extraordinary 'Nation branding be IT' campaign, with special promotional events relating to screenings in the four Indian cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru."
Italian Screens is aiming to introduce the protagonists of Italian cinema abroad, to build up an audience that appreciates the great productions of the day, and present to local operators the best of what the Italian audiovisual system has to offer to encourage co-productions and collaborations. After India, Italian Screens will travel to Los Angeles and Berlin this year followed by Buenos Aires, Washington, New York, Seoul, Tel Aviv and Bogotà.
The India schedule is as follows:
October 13
7 pm: The King of Laughter (Qui Rido io) by Mario Martone
Witness the story of comedian Eduardo Scarpetta, the box-office king, as he challenges his fate.
10 pm: The Inner Cage by Leonardo Di Costanzo
The story of an isolated prison where the rules get hazy and new relationships form
October 14
6.15 pm: Il Buco by Michelangelo Frammartino
Take a trip 700 mts below the Earth with young speleologists and explore the wonders of nature along the way.
8.40 pm: A girl returned (L’Arminuta) by Giuseppe Bonito
The story of a teenager whose whole life changes on meeting her family she didn’t know existed.
October 15
6.30 pm: Sulla Giostra by Giorgia Cecere
The story of two estranged sisters, who come together to teach each other the courage to accept one’s destiny
9.30 pm: Ennio by Giuseppe Tornatore
The story of Ennio Morricone, a two-time Oscar winner and the author of over five hundred unforgettable scores.
