A cultural bridge between Italy and the Middle East
art
January 17, 2025
The Italian Embassy in Lebanon and the Italian Cultural Institute announced, in a statement, that “in cooperation with the “Metropolis Art” cinema, they will present the first edition of the Italian Film Festival, which will be held in Beirut from January 24 to February 2, 2025. This distinguished event is an opportunity Exceptional for highlighting the best works of contemporary Italian cinema, in a country where cinematic works were widely popular until the 1980s and became less widespread after that era.
The festival will open with a screening of Vermiglio, directed by Maura Del Piero, which is nominated for an Oscar and will be shown for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa. It will conclude with a special cinematic musical screening of the film E Piccerella (? Piccerella), one of the masterpieces of Italian silent cinema, accompanied by an original piece of electronic music presented for the first time in the world and played live during the screening. This film was directed by director Elvira Notari in 1922, the first female director in the history of Italian cinema, which makes the work an outstanding testimony to the development of Italian cinema.”
The statement added: “Why promote contemporary Italian cinema in Lebanon? Cinema is not just a means of entertainment, but a powerful tool for cultural dialogue and mutual understanding. The Italian Film Festival came to fill a gap in knowledge of contemporary Italian cinema in Lebanon, a country that appreciates cinematic classics, but lacks exposure to modern works. By presenting these works, the festival aims to:
– Showing an image of modern Italy: where cinema, through its stories, landscapes and characters, reflects the social, cultural and economic transformations in Italy. Each film represents a unique window into multiple, new and unique perspectives.
– Strengthening mutual cultural communication: Italy and Lebanon have a long history of cultural exchanges and deep relations. The festival is a platform to deepen this dialogue through the emotional and inclusive power of cinema.
– Highlighting the excellence of Italian cinema globally: Due to the many prestigious film festivals in Europe, Italy is considered a strategic partner for international productions. The festival also highlights the opportunities offered by Italy as a privileged location for cinematography, while strengthening cooperation in the field of co-production between Italy and Lebanon.
– Metropolis Arts Cinema support: The recently reopened Metropolis Cinema headquarters was selected with the support of the Italian Embassy in Beirut. This headquarters represents a symbol of Beirut’s cultural renaissance and has received support from prominent figures such as Cate Blanchett and Nadine Labaki.
A rich and diverse program
The festival presents a selection of films that aim to inspire the audience and stimulate their imagination, namely:
Vermiglio – Maura Delpiero
Nonostanteh | Feeling Better – Valerio Mastandrea (93 minutes)
sola terra leggeri | Weightless – Sarah Figger (94 minutes)
Coil Estate Con Irene | My Summer with Irene – Carlo Cerrone (90 minutes)
Familia – Francisco Costabile (120 minutes)
La vita acanto | The Life Apart – Marco Tullio Giordana (100 minutes)
Ido | Sicilian Letters – Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Pizza (122 minutes)
Confidenza | Trust – Daniele Lucchetti (136 minutes)
Un mundo aparte | A World Apart – Riccardo Milani (113 minutes)
Gloria! – Margherita Vicario (106 minutes)
Cinema-Concerto: E Piccirella | The Little Girl’s Wrong
The Italian Film Festival is not just a cultural event, it is a unique and enriching experience that invites the audience to discover the beauty of Italian cinema, meet new perspectives and share moments full of passion.
For more information, please contact:
Italian Film Festival In Lebanon – VERMIGLIO
To purchase cards:
https://www.metropoliscinema.net/page/home/”.
