This article originally appeared in
October 19, 2007
RomaCinemaFest gets Second Wind
By ERIC J. LYMAN
ROME -- The second RomaCinemaFest got under way Thursday with a
low-key reception along the red carpet and high expectations for the coming
days.
"Le Deuxieme Souffle" (The Second Wind), a French gangster flick starring
Italian actress Monica Bellucci, art house star Daniel Auteuil and retired
soccer player Eric Cantona, opened the festival.
Director Alain Corneau joined the film's stars on the red carpet, where the
number of photographers rivaled the number of fans on a day when
threatening weather and a citywide taxi strike may have collaborated to limit
interest.
Bellucci, wearing a long,
black dress, sparked a
smattering of applause
when she sauntered down
Rome's wide red carpet
and paused to sign a
handful of autographs.
But the rest of the
opening-night personalities
walked by to little reaction
from the crowd.
Operatic tenor Andrea Bocelli sang later in the evening to conclude the
opening day's activities.
The atmosphere is expected to be considerably more charged Friday, the
festival's first full day. The day's centerpiece will be the high-profile European
premiere of "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," in which Cate Blanchett reprises
the role that earned her an Oscar nomination from 1998's "Elizabeth."
Friday also is India Day at the festival, with a special India-Italy business
forum, the screening of four Bollywood films and a number of special
cultural events.
The world premiere of Francis Ford Coppola's "Youth Without Youth" --
perhaps the festival's most hotly anticipated film -- takes place Saturday. The
film is Coppola's first in a decade, and the five-time Oscar-winning director
is expected to attend the opening with members of his family and "Youth"
co-stars Tim Roth and Bruno Ganz.
The festival concludes Oct. 27.
By ERIC J. LYMAN
ROME -- The second RomaCinemaFest got under way Thursday with a
low-key reception along the red carpet and high expectations for the coming
days.
"Le Deuxieme Souffle" (The Second Wind), a French gangster flick starring
Italian actress Monica Bellucci, art house star Daniel Auteuil and retired
soccer player Eric Cantona, opened the festival.
Director Alain Corneau joined the film's stars on the red carpet, where the
number of photographers rivaled the number of fans on a day when
threatening weather and a citywide taxi strike may have collaborated to limit
interest.
Bellucci, wearing a long,
black dress, sparked a
smattering of applause
when she sauntered down
Rome's wide red carpet
and paused to sign a
handful of autographs.
But the rest of the
opening-night personalities
walked by to little reaction
from the crowd.
Operatic tenor Andrea Bocelli sang later in the evening to conclude the
opening day's activities.
The atmosphere is expected to be considerably more charged Friday, the
festival's first full day. The day's centerpiece will be the high-profile European
premiere of "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," in which Cate Blanchett reprises
the role that earned her an Oscar nomination from 1998's "Elizabeth."
Friday also is India Day at the festival, with a special India-Italy business
forum, the screening of four Bollywood films and a number of special
cultural events.
The world premiere of Francis Ford Coppola's "Youth Without Youth" --
perhaps the festival's most hotly anticipated film -- takes place Saturday. The
film is Coppola's first in a decade, and the five-time Oscar-winning director
is expected to attend the opening with members of his family and "Youth"
co-stars Tim Roth and Bruno Ganz.
The festival concludes Oct. 27.
| (c) 2007 The Hollywood Reporter All rights reserved. |
| Volume 77; Number 9 |
| Volume 77; Number 9 |
Monica Bellucci arrives at the RomaCinemaFest on
Thursday. (Getty Images photo)
Thursday. (Getty Images photo)
October 28, 2007
RomaCinemaFest ends
strong; Popular 'Juno' wins
Best Film
October 27, 2007
'Juno' takes home top prize
at RomaCinemaFest
'Canvas,' 'Pride' earn Rome
fest's Alice nods
October 26, 2007
Top prize still up for grabs at
Rome fest
October 25, 2007
'Haifa' earns New Cinema's
Italian nod
October 24, 2007
'Lambs' stars in like lions at
Rome fest
FilmItalia, UniFrance team
for young talent
October 23, 2007
Veneto buyer buzz builds on
Biz Street
Star wattage waning at
Rome fest
October 22, 2007
Coppola lights up Rome fest
October 20, 2007
Depardieu imposter fools
hotel staff in Rome
'Elizabeth,' Loren big draws
at Rome festival
'Elijah' first production at
new I am Third
October 19, 2007
RomaCinemaFest gets
Second Wind
Fellini script 'Viaggio' on
new voyage
October 18, 2007
Rome Fest dressed up in
second outing
Rome Fest dressed up in
second outing
October 12, 2007
RomaCinemaFest sets
sophomore bar higher
Fest success good news for
the last paparazzo
Film spotlight: "Youth
Without Youth"
Italy offers versatile
location, strong incentives
'Business Street' initiative a
high-end venue
RomaCinemaFest owes debt
to Auditorium
September 28, 2007
Rome Fest's love affair with
Hollywood continues
RomaCinemaFest ends
strong; Popular 'Juno' wins
Best Film
October 27, 2007
'Juno' takes home top prize
at RomaCinemaFest
'Canvas,' 'Pride' earn Rome
fest's Alice nods
October 26, 2007
Top prize still up for grabs at
Rome fest
October 25, 2007
'Haifa' earns New Cinema's
Italian nod
October 24, 2007
'Lambs' stars in like lions at
Rome fest
FilmItalia, UniFrance team
for young talent
October 23, 2007
Veneto buyer buzz builds on
Biz Street
Star wattage waning at
Rome fest
October 22, 2007
Coppola lights up Rome fest
October 20, 2007
Depardieu imposter fools
hotel staff in Rome
'Elizabeth,' Loren big draws
at Rome festival
'Elijah' first production at
new I am Third
October 19, 2007
RomaCinemaFest gets
Second Wind
Fellini script 'Viaggio' on
new voyage
October 18, 2007
Rome Fest dressed up in
second outing
Rome Fest dressed up in
second outing
October 12, 2007
RomaCinemaFest sets
sophomore bar higher
Fest success good news for
the last paparazzo
Film spotlight: "Youth
Without Youth"
Italy offers versatile
location, strong incentives
'Business Street' initiative a
high-end venue
RomaCinemaFest owes debt
to Auditorium
September 28, 2007
Rome Fest's love affair with
Hollywood continues