From July 5 to 13, 2024, “Italian Screens” presents in Beirut a selection of the most iconic Italian films of 2023. This event will take place at Beirut Souks Cinemacity.
The Lebanese capital is set to welcome “Italian Screens,” an initiative by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Ministry of Culture, organized by Cinecittà. The event will highlight major works of contemporary Italian cinema, mainly films released in 2023 that have received awards at renowned festivals such as Cannes, Rome and Göteborg.
The event is part of the 7th edition of the annual “Fare Cinema” review, dedicated to promoting Italian cinema and the film industry. In collaboration with the MiC, ANICA, ICE, Istituto Luce-Cinecittà, the Italian Film Commissions and the Accademia del Cinema Italiano-Premi David di Donatello, this initiative aims to showcase Italian cinema and its professionals: actors, directors, screenwriters and technicians.
The audience will have the opportunity to discover a selection of films representing the best of recent Italian cinematic production. Among them: C’è ancora domani by Paola Cortellesi, La chimera by Alice Rohrwacher, Io capitano by Matteo Garrone, and Il sol dell’avvenire by Nanni Moretti.
In addition to the mentioned works, other recent films will be screened, such as: Comandante by Edoardo De Angelis, Ultima notte d’amore by Andrea Di Stefano, Palazzina LAF by Michele Riondino, Non riattaccare by Manfredi Lucibello and Romantiche by Pilar Fogliati.
A selection of innovative short films will also be presented, including: Asterion by Francesco Montagner, Foto di gruppo by Tommaso Frangini, In quanto a noi by Simone Massi, The meatseller by Margherita Giusti and We should all be futurists by Angela Norelli.
On the occasion of Marcello Mastroianni’s centenary, a mini-review will pay tribute to this versatile actor with screenings of 8 ½ by Federico Fellini, Matrimonio all’italiana by Vittorio De Sica, Il bell’Antonio by Mauro Bolognini, Oggi, domani e dopodomani by Eduardo de Filippo, Luciano Salce, and Marco Ferreri.
These films illustrate Mastroianni’s unique ability to transition from drama to comedy while reinventing the traditional image of the Latin lover.
The Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, Fabrizio Marcelli, highlights the spectacular evolution of Italian cinema, both in terms of international perception and quality. Between 2017 and 2021, the value of co-productions increased by 124%, from 41 to 92 million euros. This renaissance is reflected in the increased presence of Italian films at major world festivals and in the growth of co-productions.
Angelo Gioè, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, states that “cinema is often the first cultural vector accessible to everyone, capable of reflecting the vices and virtues of the society of origin.” Promoting Italian cinema means promoting Italian culture and economy, offering an accessible and emotional perspective on the country’s history and contemporary realities.
