Arrivederci Taormina!

This year's Taormina FilmFest was a great success! From the heavily attended Campus Taormina, where attendees had a chance to listen and ask questions of actors and actresses involved in Italian cinema, to the Master Classes, lead by famous directors, to the wide variety of cinema offered in the Palazzo dei Congressi and the majestic Greek Theatre--there were too many choices and not enough time!
Now that the festival is over, it's time to head to one of the many beautiful Sicilian beaches!
Hope to see you at the 2009 Taormina FilmFest!

2008 Winners

The 54th edition of the Taormina FilmFest concluded with the presentation of the Golden Tauro award for Best Film to Ibrahim El Batout, director of EIN SHAMS (Eye of the Sun). The Jury, headed by Ferzan Ozpetek, selected EIN SHAMS because of the film’s expression of valor and universal human conditions through a unique mix of fiction and documentary techniques.
The Special Jury Prize was awarded to Seyfi Teoman for his film SUMMER BOOK, his first feature film, which demonstrated his promising career in cinema.
The prize for Best Performance went to Tanja Ribic, who starred in the film TRAKTOR, LJUBEZEN , IN ROCK’N ROLL (Tractor, Love and Rock N’Roll) by Branko Djuric. In awarding Ms. Ribic, the Jury acknowledged her outstanding ability to express irony and emotion in situations completely diverse throughout the film.
The N.I.C.E. – Intel Centrino Award, for Best Siciilan Short, went to BAB AL SAMAH by Francesco Sperandeo. The film will participate in the N.I.C.E./ New Italian Cinema Events throughout the world.

Guest of Honor: Turkey

Every year the Taormina FilmFest recognizes one country as the guest of honor—this year the honor goes to Turkey. Several films from Turkey have been screened during the seven day festival and a Gran Gala, with a decidedly Turkish theme, was held in the Greek Theatre this evening. The festivities, conducted by actress Serra Yilmaz, included a concert by the group Baba Zula, followed by two films THE TOUCH, by Ozray Fecht, and AUF DER ANDEREN SEITE (The Edge of Heaven), by Fatih Akin.

Ferzan Ozpetek conducts Master Class

After the morning screening of his internationally successful 2003 film LA FINESTRA DI FRONTE (Facing Windows), director Ferzan Ozpetek conducted the last Master Class of the festival. With the help of actress Serra Yilmaz, who has appeared in several of his film, Ozpetek explained his passion for the movies—especially movies based on feelings and on stories of everyday people. In addition to LA FINIESTRA DI FRONTE, several other of his films, such as LE FATE IGNORANTI (His Secret Life), CUORE SACRO (Sacred Heart), and SATURNO CONTRO (Saturn in Opposition) have found fans in the US. Looking forward to his new film UN GIORNO PERFETTO (A Perfect Day)!

Coffee anyone?

Ah, the coffee in Sicily! There's the rich cappuccino for breakfast, the flavorful espresso to close a meal, a doppio (double espresso) for a little burst of energy during the day, and the refreshing caffè freddo (cold coffee). In many bars around Taormina, caffè freddo is made by stirring espresso and coffee granita, and is served in a glass that shows off its thick frothy head.

Taormina Art Award given to Paolo Villaggio

Paolo Villaggio was recognized for his long and successful film career. He is most remembered for his trademark character--the low-profile accountant Ugo Fantozzi—who emerged on the silver screen in a movie adaptation of a book, which was followed by several film sequels. The bumbling, servile Fantozzi endeared himself to the Italian public to the point that “Fantozzi" became part of the Italian language: "Fantozziano," is an adjective used to indicate a person that is clumsy or compliant, or to a situation that is tragic-comic.

Valeria Solarino at Campus Taormina

Today's Campus Taormina was led by actress Valeria Solarino, who appeared in LA FEBBRE (The Fever), which was shown at many US festivals. Valeria received a David di Donatello nomination for her role in the 2008 film LA SIGNORINA EFFE.

Paul Schrader honored

American Paul Schrader was presented the Taormina Arte award for his achievements as a writer-director. He is most know for his classic screenplay of Martin Scorsese's TAXI DRIVER and script of Scorsese's RAGING BULL. In today's Master Class, he spoke of his upcoming film ADAM RESURRECTED and of his efforts in restoring his 1985 classic MISHIMA, which will have its world premiere this evening in the Greek Theatre.

Luigio Lo Cascio sends his greeting to the US audience

Luigi Lo Cascio has starred in many Italian blockbuster hits, including several that have been released in the US—LA MEGLIO GIOVENTU’ (The Best of Youth) and LA BESTIA NEL CUORE (Don’t Tell)—as well as other films that have appeared in many festivals, such as I CENTO PASSI (The Hundred Steps) and LA VITA CHE VORREI (The Life I Want). American filmgoers we will soon be seeing Luigi in Spike Lee’s film MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA, that will be released in September 2008.

More tastes of Taormina

Dining in Taormina can be a wonderful epicurean experience! There are numerous seafood specialties, such as grilled pesce spada (swordfish), sarde a beccafico (sardines that have been split, filled like a sandwich, and fried) or insalata di polpo (octopus salad). Or for a memorable visual dish, try pesce in crosta di sale (fish that has been cooked in a thick crust of salt) at the restaurant LA BOTTE.

Buon appetito!

Alessio Boni at Taormina

Alessio Boni, star of LA MEGLIO GIOVENTU’ (The Best of Youth) and LA BESTIA NEL CUORE (Don’t Tell)—as well as other films that have appeared in many festivals, such as QUANDO SEI NATO NON PUOI PIU' NASCONDERTI-- gave a talk to students during Monday's "Campus Taormina"

Tastes of Taormina

Who could argue with the local custom that a granita and a brioche can be enjoyed any time of day! Even for breakfast! Granita is a wonderfully refreshing dessert that has its origins in Sicily. And they really know how to make make it Taormina.
Please don’t call it an “Italian ice”…it’s smooth, almost like a sorbet, and comes in delicious flavors like pistacchio, mandorla (almond), limone (lemon ), gelsi (mulberry), caffè (coffee), cioccolato (chocolate), pesca (peach), fragola (strawberry) and many other flavors. It is served in a cup, accompanied by an optional dollop of whipped cream and a croissant like pastry called a brioche. Try the granita at the BAM BAR, a short walk from the festival.
Buon appetito!

World Premiere of the restored THE GODFATHER

This festival’s opening ceremonies held in the Greek Theatre, were followed by the world premiere of the restored version of THE GODFATHER.

It was particularly appropriate that the world premiere of this American classic, with it’s grand themes of love, family, honor and revenge, take place at Taormina Film Festival as many of the Italian scenes were shot near Taormina, Because the actual town of Corleone, south of Palermo, was too developed during the movie’s shooting in the 1970s, the small hillside towns of Savoca and Forza d'Agro, outside of Taormina, were used instead.

54th Taormina FilmFest

Taormina sits on top of Mt. Tauro in Eastern Sicily, with spectacular views of the bay and nearby Mt. Etna. Films are screened in the large Congress Hall, with special evening screening held in the ancient Greek Theatre. Even Mt. Etna decided to provide a spectacular backdrop for this year’s festival by releasing clouds of smoke and a stream of bright red lava, seen in the distance.

Festival line-up

This festival's film line-up is:

Competition"Mediterranea": EYE OF THE SUN by Ibrahim El Batout, BURNED HEARTS by Ahmed El Maanouni, DEUX JOURS A TUER by Jean Becker, AQUARIUM byYousry Nasrallah, TRACTOR, LOVE AND ROCK N' ROLL by Branko Djuric, SUMMER BOOK by Seyfi Teoman, UN AMORE DI GIDE by Diego Ronsisvalle

Beyond the Mediterranean: STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE by Errol Morris, 14 KILOMETERSs by Gerardo Olivares, COME BACK (BEYOND) by Ulrik Wivel, THE WALL by Mohammad Ali Talebi, LOVE LIVE LONG by Mike Figgis, PAISITO by Ana Diez, KALANDOROK (THE ADVENTURES) by Béla Paczolay

Grand Cinema in the Greek Theatre: TOBY DAMMIT (Restored) by Federico Fellini, THE GODFATHER (Restored) by Francis Ford Coppola, RED BELT by David Mamet, STREET KINGS by David Ayer, MISHIMA (Restored) by Paul Schrader, INCONCEIVABLE by Mary McGuckian, THE TOUCH by Özay Fecht, THE EDGE OF HEAVEN by Fatih Akin

Sicilian Shorts: MARE NOSTRO by Andre d’Asaro, MARADONA BABY by Nino Sabella, SGANSTERS by Mario Cosentino, BAB AL SAMAH by Francesco Sperandeo, LA VITA NUDA by Dino Santoro, THE HALLWAY by Gaia Bonsignore

Guest of Honor-Turkey: YUMURTA (EGG) by Semir Kaplanoglu, TAKVA (FEAR OF GOD) by Özer Kiziltan, BABAM VE OGLUM (MY FATHER, MY SON) by Cagan Irmak, BES VAKIT (TIMES AND WINDS) by Reha Erdem, KADAR (DESTINY) by Zeki Demirkubuz , GITMEK (MY MARLON AND BRANDO) by Huseyin Karabey, UC MAYMUN (THREE MONKEYS) by Nuri Bilge Ceylan

Deborah Young is Taormina FilmFest director

Deborah Young, chief international film critic of The Hollywood Reporter, is directing the Taormina Film Fest for the second time this year. Working closely with the Region of Sicily, she has expanded the festival to attract more young people and producers with the addition of "Campus Taormina" and "Spazio Taormina--Sicilian Film Commission". Campus Taormina, is a series of daily talks given by actors and actresses that is open to the students of the universities of Catania, Messina and Palermo, is sure to be a success.

In addition, Ms. Young stated that the Taormina FilmFest is one of the most technologically advanced festivals for journalists and visitors. Thanks to festival sponsor Videobank, the Palazzo dei Congressi is totally wireless and journalists have the opportunity for live feeds to their TV stations.

Nastri d'argento

The Nastri d’argento (Silver Ribbons) are the oldest European cinematografic awards, second only in the world to the Oscar. Since 1946, the awards have been continuously conferred by the National Syndication of Italian Cinematografic Journalists, whose member journalists vote for the best of five candidates from each category. The winners of the 2008 Nastri d'argento were presented their awards on Saturday, June 14 in a gala ceremony at the Teatro Antico of Taormina. The award winners are:
Best director: Paolo Virzi' - TUTTA LA VITA DAVANTI
Best emerging director: Andrea Molailoi: LA RAGAZZA DEL LAGO
Best producer- Domenico Procacci (Fandango)
Best actor: Toni Servillo: LA RAGAZZA DEL LAGO
Best actress: Margherita Buy: GIORNI E NUVOLE
Best supporting actor: Alessandro Gassman: CAOS CALMO
Best supporting actress: Sabrina Ferilli: TUTTA LA VITA DAVANTI
Best subject: Doriana Leondeff and Carlo Mazzacurati: LA GIUSTA DISTANZA
Best screenplay: Sandro Petraglia: LA RAGAZZA DEL LAGO-Sandro Petraglia, Daniele Luchetti e Stefano Rulli
Director of the best Italian film: MIO FRATELLO E' FIGLIO UNICO
Photography: Arnaldo Catinari, I DEMONI DI SAN PIETROBURGO - PARLAMI D'AMORE
Editing: Mirco Garrone: MIO FRATELLO E' FIGLIO UNICO
Scenery: Francesco Frigeri: I VICERE' – I DEMONI DI SAN PIETROBURGO
Costume: Milena Canonero: I VICERE'
Best sound: Gaetano Carito: CAOS CALMO
Best sound track: Paolo Buonvino: CAOS CALMO
Best original song: - Ivano Fossati: L’amore trasparente (CAOS CALMO )