ITALY: Rome prepares for first ever film festival

Stop the traffic - Rome is gearing up to host its inaugural film festival. Kicking off on Friday October 13 through Saturday October 21, the nine day festival will screen 95 films, a mixture of U.S. and more unusual European and Asian art house pictures. Sixteen films, none from the U.S., will compete for the events top prize the Marco Aurelio - modelled on the city's most famous statue that stands outside the town hall. The city's movie buff mayor hopes to breath new life into Rome's special relationship with cinema. After all it is the home of 'La Dolce Vita' and the town itself looks like a set from a film. "More than a festival it is a party, it is an occasion for the city to thank the cinema," Rome's Mayor Walter Veltroni told Reuters. "It wants to thank it for the role it has always had in the life of this city, in its artistic and cultural life but also in its industrial life. In Rome, cinema is one of the great industries, Rome is the city of Cinecitta," Veltroni said. Despite the "feel good" factor, initial reports of Veltroni's plans caused criticism that it was trying to compete with the world's oldest festival in Venice which is typically held in September. But criticism has been downplayed by organisers who say both festivals can coexist, with Rome offering a more down-to-earth approach. To illustrate this it will be a panel of 50 keen cinema-goers who will judge the entrants and not the usual star-studded elite of the cinema world. One thing is certain the publicity for the Rome film festival hasn't quite matched that of Venice. Many of Rome's inhabitants have no idea it will even take place and there is little visible publicity around the town. "How lovely - it will be a beautiful event especially in Rome, the capital of Italy, a really lovely event - when is it?" asked nineteen-year-old Angelina Turi who voiced the question of many on the city's streets. Most events will take place at Rome's auditorium, a modern concert hall where preparations are still underway for the rather impressive line up of stars. Veteran Scottish actor, Sean Connery will receive a special achievement award on Thursday evening (October 12) with Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese and Robert di Niro along with a host of other top names arriving throughout the festival. But it will be Academy Award winner, Nicole Kidman who will steal the limelight as the festival makes its debut on Friday (October 13). Already in Rome, the star will attend the premiere of her film 'Fur' about the late American photographer, Diane Arbus.

ITN Source | October 13, 2006

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