This article originally appeared in
October 26, 2007
Top prize still up for grabs at Rome
fest
By ERIC J. LYMAN
ROME -- As the second RomaCinemaFest draws to a close, the race for the
event's Marcus Aurelius prize for best film appears as wide open as the path
down the festival's red carpet is well worn.
With critics and the local media split on the best films of the festival, attention
has focused on the red carpet which, despite a smattering of last-minute
cancellations, has nonetheless hosted a steady stream of A-list talent.
The most recent stars to waltz down the crimson path to the Parco della
Musica were Ang Lee and Sean Penn, with Halle Berry expected to be the
focus of paparazzi flashbulbs Friday.
Lee came to town for the official screening of "Once Upon a Time in the
West." The Sergio Leone classic was refurbished by Martin Scorsese's Film
Foundation, of which Lee is one of the leading lights.
Penn, meanwhile, came to Rome ahead of the screening of his fifth
directorial effort, "Into the Wild," which tells the story of a 22-year-old who
gives away everything to set out on a life of adventure. An enthusiastic Penn
and the film's Emile Hirsch charmed the three-deep crowd along the red
carpet for several minutes, signing autographs and posing for photos.
As of Thursday, no competition film seemed to attract more than its fair
share of attention. It was a marked contrast from last year, when the eventual
winner, Kirill Serebrennikov's Russian drama "Playing the Victim," had
become a critics' darling. Among the 13 competition films to have screened
through Thursday, at least seven had been mentioned in the local media as
a possible prize winner.
Friday will see the arrival of Berry with her dramatic love story "Things We
Lost in the Fire," which co-stars Benicio Del Toro and David Duchovny. The
final competition title, Jason Reitman's "Juno," also premieres Friday.
The festival's prize ceremony takes place Saturday.
fest
By ERIC J. LYMAN
ROME -- As the second RomaCinemaFest draws to a close, the race for the
event's Marcus Aurelius prize for best film appears as wide open as the path
down the festival's red carpet is well worn.
With critics and the local media split on the best films of the festival, attention
has focused on the red carpet which, despite a smattering of last-minute
cancellations, has nonetheless hosted a steady stream of A-list talent.
The most recent stars to waltz down the crimson path to the Parco della
Musica were Ang Lee and Sean Penn, with Halle Berry expected to be the
focus of paparazzi flashbulbs Friday.
Lee came to town for the official screening of "Once Upon a Time in the
West." The Sergio Leone classic was refurbished by Martin Scorsese's Film
Foundation, of which Lee is one of the leading lights.
Penn, meanwhile, came to Rome ahead of the screening of his fifth
directorial effort, "Into the Wild," which tells the story of a 22-year-old who
gives away everything to set out on a life of adventure. An enthusiastic Penn
and the film's Emile Hirsch charmed the three-deep crowd along the red
carpet for several minutes, signing autographs and posing for photos.
As of Thursday, no competition film seemed to attract more than its fair
share of attention. It was a marked contrast from last year, when the eventual
winner, Kirill Serebrennikov's Russian drama "Playing the Victim," had
become a critics' darling. Among the 13 competition films to have screened
through Thursday, at least seven had been mentioned in the local media as
a possible prize winner.
Friday will see the arrival of Berry with her dramatic love story "Things We
Lost in the Fire," which co-stars Benicio Del Toro and David Duchovny. The
final competition title, Jason Reitman's "Juno," also premieres Friday.
The festival's prize ceremony takes place Saturday.
| (c) 2007 The Hollywood Reporter All rights reserved. |
| Volume 77; Number 9 |
| Volume 77; Number 9 |
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