The first edition of the Italian Film Festival in Lebanon kicked off on Friday evening at the Metropolis cinema in Mar Mikhael, where the enthusiasm and joy of reconnecting with the magic of cinema could be seen on every face. On screens was the Middle East and North Africa regional premiere of the film Vermilionsigned Maura Delpero, selected for the Oscars.
It is a successful bet for the Italian Embassy in Lebanon and its Cultural Institute which, hand in hand, with the Metropolis Art Cinema, have managed to bring together an impressive audience of fans of Italian cinema, the curious and above all the lover of art and culture.
The idea of this Italian film festival “germinated in our heads during the war”, confides the Italian ambassador to Lebanon, Fabrizio Marcelli to Ici Beirut. “Once the ceasefire was concluded, it was launched,” he adds.
The ambassador also said he was very happy to see such an enthusiastic welcome given to the festival by those who came in such large numbers to this cinematographic event. He also explains that the Italian films that the Lebanese watched before the war have become classics and that “it was time to introduce them to contemporary Italian films with new subjects”. Moreover, all the films that will be on display until February 2 (closing date) “were released last year,” he continues.
In turn, the director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Angelo Gioè, explains that one of the stated objectives consists of “making this festival a lasting event and also strengthening the links between Lebanese and Italian directors with a view to give rise to “reciprocal cinematographic collaborations”. Mr. Gioè also said he was “very satisfied” with the very close partnership with Metropolis.
“Cinema is life”
“Italian cinema is where everything was born,” confides Walid Abou Hamad. It is also “the poetry that this cinema offers and its symbolism” that he says he appreciates the most. The desire to be at the Metropolis cinema and to relive it is also a leitmotif for this doctor who adds that “cinema is life! Lebanon is reborn after so much darkness.”
-Also a fan of Italian cinema, documentary and film director Soula Saad was also there. “The films on the program of this festival really appeal to me,” she adds. Thanks to this festival, we feel “a new wind in our sails”, underlines the director.
Same feeling expressed by Nada, who believes that “it is a wind of hope that is blowing and that we all really needed”. An opinion widely shared by many smiling people we met, all united by their “love of cinema”.
On display until February 2
On the program for this festival, a rich and varied selection, including Despite de Valerio Mastandrea, Light on earth by Sara Fgaier, That summer with Irene de Carlo Sironi, Family de Francesco Costabile, Life next door de Marco Tullio Giordana, He de Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, Confidence by Daniele Luchetti, A world apart by Riccardo Milani et Gloria! de Margherita Vicario.
The closing, on February 2, will be marked by an exceptional film concert around It’s Piccerellaa masterpiece of Italian silent cinema made in 1922 by Elvira Notari, Italy’s first female filmmaker. This film will be accompanied by an original electronic soundtrack, performed live by composer Maurilio Cacciatore, in a world premiere.
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