Venezia 78, the jurors. Bong: «Ready to fight»
The jurors of Venezia 78 are ready to work together «and maybe to fight» says the President of the Jury Bong Joon-ho. Bong talked to the press with his fellow jurors Chloé Zhao, Saverio Costanzo, Alexander Nanau, Virginie Efira e Cynthia Erivo and juries of Orizzonti (President Jasmilla Žbanić, Mona Fastvold, Shahram Mokri, Josh Siegel and Nadia Terranova) and Premio Venezia Opera Prima “Luigi De Laurentiis” – Leone del Futuro (Martin Schweighofer, Amalia Ulman and President Uberto Pasolini).
Artistic Director Alberto Barbera and Biennale President Roberto Cicutto also joined the press conference.
«Because of Covid», says Bong, «filmmakers all over the world experienced a very hard time during the last year, but looking back we can consider this a test of the vital strength of cinema». «As a film director I don’t believe that history of cinema and movie-making itself can be easily stopped. Covid will end, cinema will still exist». The director and President of the Jury also said something about his passion for Italy and its music: «In my last movie Parasite I used a song written by Gianni Morandi [In ginocchio da te, ndr] because my father was a huge fan. I never met Gianni Morandi, but I hope to meet him here in Italy».
Fellini, Antonioni, De Sica, Rossellini, Bertolucci, Rosi, Olmi are the director that Bong admires most, but also Paolo Sorrentino (he will have to judge his film in competition The Hand of God), his fellow juror Saverio Costanzo and Alice Rohrwacher, «I’ve seen Corpo Celeste ten years ago». Last year Golden Lion Chloé Zhao said she feels honoured to be here on her first Italian trip. «I haven’t read anything about the movies because I don’t want to be influenced,» said the President of the Orizzonti jury Jasmilla Žbanić, just like Uberto Pasolini that also said having a particular emotion to judge first feature films and «discover unknown new voices». Pasolini also said that their work will be easier because «Amalia told us that only movies with cats will run for awards».
Pedro and Penelope, 25 years of friendship: «We understand each other wonderfully»
The professional relationship between Pedro Almodóvar e Penelope Cruz is still riding high. The opening movie of Venezia 78 Madres Paralelas is their seventh work* together strengthening their 25 years of friendship.
“Pedro is the reason why I’m an actress since I was 16. I started to be cast because I wanted to work with him” said Cruz, the «imperfect mother» of the intense new melò of the Spanish director. “We have a profound connection, we understand each other wonderfully and we both love working hard. It’s not always easy, but when things get tough he’s my certainty, I know he will be there to support me. He’s always very present on set, he never uses the mobile or gets distracted talking to other people. This is a rare quality nowadays “.
“When I write a character of her age she’s my first choice” – Almodóvar confirms. “I’m a demanding director, but she gives everything I want. She’s beautiful and photogenic, but most of all she’s got blind faith in me and this gives me a lot of strength. She’s a tireless professional, she never wastes time. The role of this mother is the most complex I have ever wrote for her “.
*
“Carne Tremula” (1997)
“All About My Mother” (1999)
“Volver” (2006)
“Los Abrazos Rotos” (2009)
“Los Amantes Pasajeros” (2013)
“Dolor y gloria” (2019)
“Madres Paralelas” (2021)
Tribute to Pietro il grande
Pietro Coccia prematurely passed away in 2018. He was a friend of cinema and Ciak and a costant presence at national and international film festivals. He was a cultured, kind and ironic photographer. He was a sincere friend of many talents and sometimes even their confidant. Pietro il Grande is the documentary short by Antonello Sarno that will have a special screening today. 400 shots and eight soundtracks, the doc is a celebration of his 30 years of career, even if his massive archive still needs to be catalogued. Pietro il Grande will be screened at 5 pm in Sala Giardino and tomorrow at 2:30 pm at Teatro Piccolo Arsenale di Venezia.
Roberto Benigni: “Nicoletta, the Golden is for both of us”
Roberto Benigni received the Leone d’Oro alla Carriera of Venezia 78 and his first was for his bride Nicoletta Braschi:
“I want to devote my thoughts to Nicoletta Braschi who is here in Sala Grande. I don’t even want to devote this award to her, because this is her Golden Lion. Nicoletta, I only know one way to measure time: with or without you.”
The Tuscan actor and director wanted thank la Biennale:
“This Golden Lion goes beyond. I feel huge love and gratitude for all of you. I deserved a kitten, now I have a Lion.”
Benigni also gave his regards to the Italian President Sergio Mattarella:
“Thank you Mr. President for the love you show for art and especially for cinema. I would like to hug you and kiss you, it’s impossible to explain how beautiful living these years with you. When I was told you would have been here I felt like you when you cheer up for Bonucci’s goal in London. You must stay a little longer, Mr. President”
