- 25
- Jan.
- 2025
The inaugural edition of the Italian Film Festival in Lebanon kicked off on Friday evening at the Metropolis Cinema in Mar Mikhael. Enthusiasm and joy lit up every face as attendees gathered to celebrate the magic of cinema. The evening began with the regional premiere of Vermiglio by Maura Delpero, a film selected for the Oscars, marking its debut in the Middle East and North Africa.
The inaugural edition of the Italian Film Festival in Lebanon, a collaboration between the Italian Embassy in Lebanon, its Cultural Institute, and Metropolis Art Cinema, has been a success. Together, they attracted a diverse audience of Italian cinema fans, art enthusiasts, and curious cinephiles eager to explore contemporary Italian films.
According to Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Marcelli, the idea for the festival was born during the war. "Once the ceasefire was reached, we launched it," he shared with This Is Beirut. He expressed his delight at the festival's warm reception, noting how Italian films that once captivated Lebanese audiences have become timeless classics. "It was time to introduce them to contemporary Italian cinema with fresh and diverse themes," he added. All the films featured in the festival were released in the past year, with screenings running until February 2.
Angelo Gioè, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, highlighted the festival's long-term goals. He emphasized the desire to establish the event as an annual tradition while fostering collaborations between Lebanese and Italian filmmakers. He also expressed his satisfaction with the close partnership with Metropolis.
"Cinema Is Life"
For many attendees, the festival was an emotional and cultural revival. Dr. Walid Abou Hamad, an avid fan of Italian cinema, shared, "Italian cinema is where it all began. It’s the poetry and symbolism that resonate with me the most." Reflecting on Lebanon’s recent challenges, he added, "Cinema is life! Lebanon is reborn after so much darkness."
Soula Saad, a documentary filmmaker, also attended, expressing her excitement about the festival’s lineup. "The films on this program resonate deeply with me," she noted, highlighting the sense of renewal brought by the event. Nada, another attendee, described it as "a breath of hope that we all truly needed," a sentiment shared by many in the audience.
A Diverse Program Until February 2
The festival features a rich and varied lineup, including Nonostante by Valerio Mastandrea, Sulla terra leggeri by Sara Fgaier, Quell’estate con Irene by Carlo Sironi, Familia by Francesco Costabile, La vita accanto by Marco Tullio Giordana, Iddu by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza, Confidenza by Daniele Luchetti, Un mondo a parte by Riccardo Milani, and Gloria! by Margherita Vicario.
The closing night on February 2 will feature a spectacular cine-concert. The program includes È Piccerella, a masterpiece of Italian silent cinema from 1922, directed by Elvira Notari, the first female Italian filmmaker. This film will be accompanied by a live electronic soundtrack performed by composer Maurilio Cacciatore, marking a world premiere.
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