The sixty-ninth edition of the Taormina Film Fest opened with a gala dedicated to Luciano Pavarotti.
It was great to celebrate “Big Luciano” with Italian and international guests on the stage of the ancient theater of Taormina. Ester Bonafede, superintendent of the Taormina Arte Sicilia Foundation, opened the evening, moderated by journalist Elvira Terranova, accompanied by the two artistic directors Beatrice Venezi and Barrett Wiseman, briefly outlining the meaning of the material on the calendar this year. Key institutional representatives were also present, including Gaetano Galvagno, President of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, Elvira Amata, Regional Councilor for Tourism, and Mayor Caetano De Luca.
On stage, Nicoletta Mantovani was also awarded the “Taormina Arte Humanitarian Award”, for her significant contribution to the promotion and preservation of the artistic and humanitarian heritage of the great tenor, a plaque made by Maison Damiani that read: “Pavarotti’s wife As such, Nicoletta played a vital role in preserving and spreading her musical legacy around the world, ensuring that her music and her message of hope continue to inspire and touch Italian and international audiences. “The Taormina Arte Humanitarian Award” to Nicoletta Mantovani for perpetuating Pavarotti’s extraordinary legacy and his artistic and humanitarian influence. represents an admirable tribute to the dedication of
Artists rotating on stage include Plácido Domingo, Marcelo Alvarez, Vittorio Grigolo, Aida Garifullina, Mario Biondi, Andrea Griminelli and a new line-up of young artists promoted and supported by the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, Floriana Ciccio, Giuseppe Infantino, Paolo Nevi generation was involved. , with the Taormina Arte Festival Orchestra conducted by Ettore Li, Mo Beatrice Venezi.
The lineup includes arias from the most famous Pavarotti repertoire, ranging from “La Bohème” to songs from the popular tradition, including “Rigoletto”, “La fille del regimento”, “Pagliacci”, “Andrea Chénier”, “Tosca” and “Granada”. “, “Torna e Surriento”, “Buongiorno” and “Miserere”, among others. Grand finale, all together, with “La Traviata”.
The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, with which the Taormina Arte Sicilia Foundation will produce two other co-productions within the ancient theatre’s summer season: “Triptych” and “Turandot”.
First blue carpet at the 69th edition of the Taormina Film Fest: the protagonists of the first evening arrive on the aqua-marine carpet, which includes the colors of the festival logo, created by Alessandro Florio: among them Gian Marco Tognazzi and Yellenia Pastorelli for “The”. The undecided groom who could no longer (or perhaps did not want) to get out of the bathroom and the diva Amber Heard, for the first time in Taormina, the heroine of Conor Allyn’s film “In the Fire”.
Last evening, on the stage of the Ancient Theater of Taormina, one of the greatest directors of international comedy, John Landis, was awarded the Taormina Arte Award for Director for his extensive film career. Arrived yesterday evening with his wife, renowned costume designer Deborah Nadulman Landis, to participate in the festival – both will hold a masterclass at Casa Cuseny on June 26 (6.00 pm) and June 29 (10.30 am) respectively, welcomed by the director The double acceptance – a plaque and a precious one made by Maison Damiani respectively – from the hands of Ester Bonafede and Beatrice Venezi, superintendent and artistic director of the Taormina Arte Foundation respectively, with the following motivation: “Landis has performed an extraordinary spectacle. The genius of elevating comedy to prestige status through the creation of cinematic works characterized by an impeccable combination of writing and memorable performances, which have become authentic treasures and cornerstones of the genre. This recognition is a testament to the importance of comedy as an artistic genre and entertainment testifies to its ability to inspire thought and leave a lasting mark on the history of cinema. John Landis’ career is an example to future generations of filmmakers and the endless possibilities that cinema can offer for connection and transformation. It is a valuable form of social reflection and a means of conveying a positive message.
Afterwards, the cast of the film “The Indecisive Groom Who Now Couldn’t (Or Probably Didn’t Want To) Get Out of the Bathroom” took the stage to explain the main points and background of this sour-sweet comedy directed by Giorgio Amato. An internationally renowned philosopher and a beautiful cleaning girl are about to get married, but little do they know that a terrible curse is hanging over their love, ready to be revealed on their wedding day. Besides the director, Gianmarco Tognazzi, Ylenia Pastorelli, Stefano Pesce, Giulia Gualano, Morena Gentile and producer Lucie di Crescenzo were also present at the scene.
Finally, led by Barrett Wiseman, executive director and co-artistic director of the Taormina Film Fest, the cast of “Into the Fire” starring Amber Heard illustrated the film’s content, a gripping supernatural thriller that sees the protagonist in a cutting edge situation. The role of the psychiatrist is reaching out to treat a desperate child in an age where psychiatry is not yet a respected science. The film will be released in theaters this autumn. On stage with Heard were directors Connor Allyn, Eduardo Noriega, Lorenzo McGovern Zaini, Isabella Benetton, Yari Gugliucci and Luca Calvani.
Instead today there are great expectations for the arrival of the cast of “Indiana Jones and the Quadrant of Destiny”, which will be screened at the Italian premiere in the presence of Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mads Mikkelsen.
The evening at the Teatro Antico will be presented by a special guest, Fabio Rovazzi, who will be joined by festival presenter Elvira Terranova for a preview of the new film, to be released in Italian cinemas on 28 June.