"I love cinema because I think it is the best way to share ideas, opinions, to erase the distance between me and those who sit next to me. Thanks to the power of its films, Giffoni has made all this possible here at my home, in Spain". These were the words of 10-year-old Miguel, a giffoner from Madrid who took part together with hundreds of other kids and young people in the second stage of Italia Experience, the Giffoni project co-financed by the Ministry of Culture – Directorate-General for Cinema and Audiovisual. The event was organized in partnership with the 15th edition of the Madrid Italian Film Festival and the Italian Cultural Institute, directed by Marialuisa Pappalardo.
The event was attended by Giffoni general manager Jacopo Gubitosi, head of institutional relations Davide Russo, Gianvincenzo Nastasi from the artistic management, Erica De Lisio from the video productions department and Rita Esposito from the communications department. The delegation was presented with the Special Award - Giffoni Much More than a Festival.
"Being awarded for the work we carry out is always a great honor", said Jacopo Gubitosi. "Giffoni has always been an open space, a space of freedom, a place where people can come together and find ways to grow. The Award we have been honored with shows that our commitment to young people has been received in all its strength and effectiveness. Italia Experience will not stop here: we are already set for the next stages in Poland and Croatia".
Director Pappalardo was enthusiastic: "We are proud that our partnership has grown and strengthened over the years", she explained. "Giffoni is not just an event. It has given centrality to young people, demanding that the world's attention be turned to the voices that are less listened to and recognizing the new generations a fundamental role in society and culture. For all these reasons, we are confident that we will keep on consolidating the relationship between our two institutions".
The film LA VOCE DI FANTOZZI by Mario Sesti, presented by producers Daniele Liburdi and Massimo Mescia (Volume Entertainment), received thunderous applause. It revolves around the story of one of the most beloved comedians of Italian cinema, an icon who influenced popular imagination, culture and language of an entire country like no other, joining immortal artists such as Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy and Totò. The lead actor is of course Paolo Villaggio, in his last and moving performance, but the film also features exceptional Italian personalities such as Nobel laureate Dario Fo and Oscar winner Roberto Benigni.
"This work was entirely made together with Paolo Villaggio", the producers explained. "He was not only the subject of the film; he worked on its conception and realization with us. He wrote the dialogs of the various cameos; this is his last work. Everybody during the making of the film was enthusiast and aware of the fact that we were portraying a genius who would remain in our hearts forever".
The allure of cinema captivated kids: a crowded theater, a great story being told through music, dialogue and images on the big screen, emotions shared with others. Short films selected by Giffoni and proposed to kids aged 3 to 5 and to their families were cheerfully received. Among the titles were ABOVE by Marco Savini, IOU by Luca Pierri Pilotti, DO NOT CROSS by Flora Dovigo and Massimo Vignati, EL CHARANGO by Paola Luciani, IL PICCOLO GALAGO by Anita Verona and Francesco Catarinolo, PAPA IS BIG, I'M SMALL by Anya Ru and Masha Rumyantseva and QUALCUNO HA DETTO MOSTRO? by Francesco Forti.
Giffoners aged 6 to 9 were equally keen and enthusiastic as they followed with great excitement the adventures of the protagonists of VULCANO by Margherita Abbruzzi, Serena Miraglia, Giada Rizzi and Lara Zizzi, NEL MARE CI SONO I COCCODRILLI by Rosalba Vitellaro, OSSIGENO by Beatrice Sancinelli, L'OCCHIO DELLA BALENA by Giorgia Bonora, Lucia Shimmenti, Franciana Ramos and Tess Tagliaferro and GIULIA E IL CAPOPOSTO by Antonio Maria Castaldo.
The films screened for kids aged 10 to 12 were LE PICCOLE COSE by Emiliano Galigani, LUCE & ME by Isabella Salvetti, TANA LIBERA TUTTI by Valerio Filardo, IL NOSTRO TEMPO by Veronica Spedicati and KLOD by Giuseppe Marco Albano.
Adults were also in line from the early morning hours to watch in the fascinating Cine Paz in Madrid IL RAGAZZO E LA TIGRE by Brando Quilici, distributed by Medusa Film. The film tells the story of an orphaned boy. While wandering through the snowy valleys of the Himalayas, he finds a new friend, namely a Bengal tiger cub. The two immediately bond and together they and embark on a journey, heading to Taktsang Monastery in Buthan, which is known as "the tiger's nest".
The next stages of Italia Experience will be taking place in early 2023 in Poland and Croatia.
