Pix-Director Ethan Coen , Brad Pitt , Frances McDormand , Director Joel Coen , Tilda Swinton and George Clooney at the 65th Annual Venice Film Festival Premiere of Burn After Reading
Pic-Brad Pitt and sons
Nollywood missing at Venice Film Festival
Practitioners and stakeholders from our dear motion picture industry globally known as Nollywood were conspicuously missing at the just concluded 65th edition of the Venice International Film Festival, which held on the Island of Lido, Italy, for eleven days. In fact, yours sincerely, who was there live, did not sight any core entertainment reporter or a Nollywood newshound till the world’s oldest and highly revered festival ended over the weekend.
Pic-Yours Sincerely with Michela Lazzarim, Head, Foreign Press
However, the Whites dominated event, had few filmmakers from a couple of African nations attending. Meanwhile, we are still trying to unravel why no Nigerian filmmaker or actor made it to the globally acclaimed gathering that held the films and cinemas communities spellbound, while it lasted.
Pic-Hollywood star, George Clooney arriving
Italians go gaga for George Clooney
The grand arrival of Hollywood mega star George Clooney to the festival literally set the beautiful city of Venice and its environs on fire. The coming of Clooney, whose role in Burn After Reading, the big budget film that was screened to declare the festival open, was widely reported in the Italian media and even beyond. Several Italians that accosted Yours Sincerely, on the streets and neighbourhood eateries, kept asking about Clooney. Some daring ones further begged to see his images on the camera hanging on my neck.
Above all, Clooney and his star-studded team from Hollywood stole the show in Venice. The razzmatazz that accompanied them to the red carpet was out of this world. He came with good pal and newest dad in Hollywood, Brad Pitt, the hubby of top actress, Angelina Jolie. Others were: Charlize Theron, Tilda Swinton and the Coen brothers, directors of the historic movie.
Pic-The massive red carpet
The massive red carpet
Sincerely, many guests at the festival watched with mouths agape, the massive, intimidating and sparkling red carpet laid for super stars to walk on at the event. In fact, the raised red carpet covered the whole walk path to the main areas of the festival. And in order to guard and protect it from intruders, policemen (Polizei), were keeping guard 24 hours. An insider, later squealed to Yours Sincerely, that a team of experts from around Europe, designed and laid the eye popping carpet. It was also amazing watching quality films across the globe, in some of the best cinema screens you can think of. Tested and up to date filmmakers came to Lido, Venice, to screen their great works to an appreciative and equally critical audience.
Pic-Yours Sincerely with Some Members of Foreign Press Crew
Atlantic Overseas to the rescue
The timely intervention of Mr. Andrien Gbinigie, the amiable honcho of Atlantic Overseas, made Yours Sincerely’s trip to Venice, Italy, possible. The central London office of the life patron of the Movie Reporters Guild of Nigeria (MORGON), sponsored the historic trip. Gbinigie’s London office, which also financed his two 35mm films, Mission to Nowhere and Mirror of Beauty, wholeheartedly took care of my return ticket and hotel accommodation for eleven days. It would be recalled that the Nollywood enthusiast, who is also one of the patrons of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), and the Association of Movie producers (AMP), sponsored some Nollywood stakeholders to the last edition of the Cannes Film Festival, France.
Meet the jury of the Venezia 2008
The jury of this year’s festival, was made up of some of the biggest names in the film and cinema communities globally. Dusseldorf, German born international film director, Wim Wenders, was the president of the jury for the Venezia. Born in 1945, Wenders, is one of the most innovative directors of the new German Cinema for thematic and stylistic choices. Other members include: Juriy Arabov, a scriptwriter and author for contemporary Russian TV and cinema. He is also a poet and philosopher that is hated by the regime. Naples, Italian born Valeria Golino was another member of the revered jury. One of the most sought after European actresses in American and Italian films. Glasgow, UK born Gordon Douglas, was another member of the body, an accomplished visual artist and winner of the Turner Prize in 1996. Chicago, US born John Landis, also made this year’s jury list. An accomplished director, screen plays writer and producer. Lucrecia Martel, a force
to reckon with in the contemporary Argentine cinema and Johnnie To, a gifted director of the oriental cinema, from Hong Kong, also made the jury for Venezia 2008.
Pic-(L-R) Jury Members Douglas Gordon,Juriy Arabov,Lucrecia Martel,Marco Muller Director of the Venice Film Festival ,Wim Wenders,Valeria Golino,Johnnie To and John Landis during the 'Venezia 65' Jury Presentation Photocall part of the 65th Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino on August 27, 2008 in Venice, Italy.
A peep into Venice Film Festival
Though, already in its 65th edition, the Venice Film Festival, known as (Mostra Internazionale d’ Arte Cinematografica di Venezia), is unarguably the oldest film festival in the world. Founded by Count Guiseppe Volpi di Misurata in 1932. The festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the beautiful island of Lido. Screenings usually take place in the historic Palazzo del Cinema on the Lungomare Marconi. The festival’s principal awards are the Leone d’Oro (Golden Lion), which went to ace filmmaker, Ermanno Olmi, this year, as a Life Time Achievement Award, and the Coppa Volvi (Volpi Cup).
Pic-Aerial View of Lido, Venice
The former is awarded to the best film screened at the festival, while the latter is awarded to the best actor and actress. The opening and closing ceremonies of this year’s festival were hosted by actress Ksenia Rappoport and was broadcast live by RaiSat Extra. It was directed by Marco Muller, organized by the La Biennale di
Venezia and ably chaired by Paolo Baratta. Over fifty movies screened at the glitz and grandeur filled festival.
Editors Note-Sorry for the lull, we are back home to naija powerfully! Missed 'swallow' meals!
No comments:
Post a Comment