Postponed from the spring, the Lucca Film and Europa Film Festival kicks off on September 25 and will run until October 4 in Lucca at the Astra and Centrale cinemas as well as in Viareggio at the Centrale Cinema. Along with live events, this international competition—highlighting 12 feature-length and 19 short films as well as previews—comprises entries from China, Mexico, the U.S.A., the U.K., Germany, France, Holland, Portugal, Turkey, China, Israel and other countries shown in participating theatres and also hosted on online at Più Compagnia.
The festivals are screening movies in their original language with either English or Italian subtitles (often both), appealing to a global audience.
LUCCA FILM FESTIVAL & EUROPA CINEMA
The showcase will premiere not only competing international films, but will be rounded out with an exhibition, masterclasses and presentations that focus on talented faces of cinema. A diverse selection of directors and actors will also headline special tribute events. One is the American Matt Dillon, who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in Lucca on September 27. Later the same evening, the actor, screenwriter and film director will present his 2002 crime thriller City of Ghosts—also starring James Caan—at Lucca’s Cinema Astra (9 pm). At the same venue on September 28 Dillon and award-winning Italian writer Nicola Lagioia will conduct a public conversation on their careers and the future of the film industry (5:30 pm). Later, another Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to the Danish film director and Cannes festival award recipient Thomas Vinterberg. His films will be shown from October 1 – 4 and Vinterberg will conduct a master class in Lucca on October 4.
To honor the 100th anniversary of birth of director Federico Fellini’s birth (January 20, 1920) and that of the iconic Roman actor Alberto Sordi (June 15, 1920), the Pfanner Palace in Lucca is hosting “Alberto Sordi, Fellini and ‘I Vitelloni’,” a display of photos, movie posters, paintings, sketches accompanied by music designed to transport the guest to the 1953 movie “I Vitelloni” directed by Fellini and starring Sordi. Other sections of the exhibition unveil Sordi’s long career. Fellini fans can also look forward to the showing of Fellini’s “Juliet of the Spirits” (1965) on October 4 (Cinema Astra, Lucca, 5:30 pm). Also on hand will be special guest and co-star Sandra Milo, who also received a Davide di Donatello (Italy’s Academy award) as supporting actress. Later the same day (9 pm) at the same theater Milo will be the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award and give an introduction to a video spanning her movie roles. This will be the prelude to the prizes announced in the categories of best feature-length and short films on the program at the Lucca Film and Europa Festival. (rosanna cirigliano)
