Category: Cinema

Cinema, territory, and new generations: the second edition of the festival promoted by Unimpresa and Ciak & Zoom is ready to begin

(more…)

An unforgettable actress of Italian cinema

The world of Italian cinema mourns the loss of Eleonora Giorgi, an unforgettable actress and a symbol of Italian comedy in the 1980s. Her family announced the sad news of her passing at the age of 71. Giorgi had been battling pancreatic cancer, a disease she bravely disclosed in October 2023, sharing her struggle with the public.

From early beginnings to success with “Borotalco”

Born in Rome on October 21, 1953, Eleonora Giorgi left an indelible mark on the entertainment world. She began her career in the 1970s and achieved ultimate recognition with the film “Borotalco”, directed by Carlo Verdone. Her intense and brilliant performance made her one of the most beloved actresses in Italian cinema, capable of transitioning seamlessly between comedy and drama.

Two marriages and a life in the spotlight

Beyond her cinematic career, Eleonora Giorgi was often in the media spotlight for her personal life. She was married twice: first in 1979 to Angelo Rizzoli, a well-known publisher, and later, in 1993, to actor Massimo Ciavarro. Their love story, despite their separation, remained a strong emotional and professional bond throughout the years.

The courage to face illness

In recent years, Eleonora Giorgi demonstrated incredible strength in her fight against her illness. With her characteristic sincerity, she openly discussed her pancreatic cancer, facing the diagnosis with dignity and determination. Her passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of cinema enthusiasts and those who admired her as both an artist and a woman.

Her cinematic legacy will remain immortal, along with the memory of her smile and talent.

What is your favorite memory of Eleonora Giorgi? Share it in the comments below!

Anora dominates the 97th Academy Awards

The 97th Academy Awards crowned Anora as Best Picture, marking a historic triumph for Sean Baker. The film, which tells the story of a sex worker from Brooklyn, won five Oscars, including Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison.

On the stage of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, producers Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, and Sean Baker himselfexpressed their emotions over this unexpected victory. “We made it with little money but with all our hearts,” said Quan while accepting the award.

Morgan Freeman’s tribute to Gene Hackman

One of the most touching moments of the evening was Morgan Freeman’s tribute to Gene Hackman, his co-star in Unforgiven. “We lost a giant, and I lost a great friend,” said Freeman while introducing the In Memoriam segment, which honored great cinema figures lost in the past year, including Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright, Anouk Aimée, Donald Sutherland, Shelley Duvall, David Lynch, James Earl Jones, Gena Rowlands, and Kris Kristofferson.

Hackman’s passing deeply shook Hollywood: the actor was found dead in his Santa Fe home on February 26, alongside his wife and their dog.

“No Other Land” shakes up the Oscars with its political message

One of the night’s most discussed moments was the Best Documentary Feature award given to No Other Land, directed by an Israeli-Palestinian collective. The filmmakers Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal, and Yuval Abraham used their speech to deliver a powerful message: “We will never be safe if others are not safe,” calling on the world to stop “ethnic cleansing” against the Palestinian people.

The documentary chronicles the destruction of the Palestinian community of Masafer Yatta in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and struggled to find a distributor in the U.S. before its Oscar win.

A bitter night for Italian cinema

While the 2025 Academy Awards were filled with emotions and surprises, for Italy, it was a missed opportunity. Isabella Rossellini, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Conclave, lost to Zoe Saldana for her performance in Emilia Perez.

Likewise, Cynthia Sleiter, set decorator for the same film, missed out on the Best Production Design award, which instead went to the team behind Wicked. Another year without recognition for Italian cinema, which will have to try again next year.

Anora also wins Best Original Screenplay

In addition to winning Best Picture, Anora also took home the Best Original Screenplay award, once again honoring Sean Baker. In his acceptance speech, Baker dedicated the award to the sex worker community, the often-invisible protagonists of both society and his film.

The movie tells the story of a 23-year-old stripper who supplements her income with occasional escort work and falls in love with the son of a Russian oligarch. A raw and intense story that captivated both audiences and critics.

Kieran Culkin wins Best Supporting Actor

A proud moment for Kieran Culkin, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain by Jesse Eisenberg. The actor, younger brother of Macaulay Culkin, beat out heavyweights like Edward Norton (A Perfect Stranger), Guy Pearce (The Brutalist), Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice: The Trump Story), and Yura Borisov (Anora).

Flow wins Best Animated Feature

In the Best Animated Feature category, the winner was Flow: A World to Save by Gints Zilbalodis. The film made history as the first Latvian film to be nominated for Best International Feature.

Additionally, the Best Animated Short Film award went to In the Shadow of the Cypress, an Iranian production that tackles the theme of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Eight competing short films and a commitment to the environment

The Movieboli Film Festival 2024 concluded with great success, showcasing eight short films focused on environmental themes and climate change. On August 23 and 24, audiences were treated to works like La voce del fiume and Lettera al mio albero, all sharing a deep ecological message. The feature films screened, including Wall-e and Capri Revolution, also followed this environmental theme, highlighting the importance of sustainability.

Exceptional guests and unforgettable moments

Each evening of the festival featured distinguished guests. On August 23, the Sant’Antonio arena hosted Adrian Fartade, a renowned science communicator who captivated the audience with his insights into our planet’s evolution. The following evening, Vincenzo Nemolato, a theater and film actor, shared his professional experiences in an informal and engaging atmosphere. The event concluded with the interactive show Entropy for Life by Giacomo Moro Mauretto, exploring biology and science, leaving the audience with a newfound curiosity.

Awards and recognition

The festival’s final night saw the awarding of the best short films in competition. Seydu Sarr, star of Matteo Garrone’s Io capitano, presented the award for Best Acting Performance to the Turkish short film Son Fide. The Audience Award went to Lithium, directed by Alessandro Stelmasiov, while the winner of the second edition of the Movieboli Film Festival was Novavita, directed by Bruno Sorrentino and Antonio Genovese of Turtle Studios.

An ambitious festival with a promising future

This year, the Movieboli Film Festival demonstrated great ambition, thanks to the work of the association led by Mattia Maioriello and supported by a dedicated team. With high-profile guests and a carefully curated film selection, the festival reached new heights and is set to grow even further in the future. This is just the beginning of a journey that promises to bring cinema and environmental awareness to the forefront.

We invite readers to share their thoughts and impressions on the festival by commenting in the form below.

Maria Rosaria Omaggio, a versatile actress beloved by the Italian public, has died at the age of 67 after a long illness. Born in Naples and residing in Rome, she left an indelible mark in the entertainment world with a career spanning cinema, theater, and television.

Beginnings in cinema and success with “Rome Armed to the Teeth”

Maria Rosaria Omaggio made her big-screen debut with “Rome Armed to the Teeth” by Umberto Lenzi. This film marked the start of a brilliant cinematic career that saw her starring in 29 films.

International recognition with “Walesa: Man of Hope”

One of the most significant moments in Omaggio’s career was her portrayal of Oriana Fallaci in “Walesa: Man of Hope” by Andrzej Wajda. This role earned her an award in Venice, confirming her talent on an international level.

A constant presence in television and theater

Maria Rosaria Omaggio became a familiar figure to the general public thanks to her participation in television programs such as “Canzonissima” on Rai. Her artistic versatility also expressed itself in 50 theater plays and 18 television series.

A life also dedicated to writing and Taiji Quan

In addition to her career in entertainment, Omaggio was also a writer and instructor of Taiji Quan, a Chinese martial art. Her passion for these disciplines reflected her eclectic personality and her continual search for new forms of expression.