November 14, 2018, Hollywood, CA
“Money is everywhere but so is poetry”. Federico Fellini
It wasn’t a long time ago when extremely talented Italian actor Marcello Fonte won Cannes’ Best Actor Award for his role in the movie Dogman (director: Matteo Garrone). It was great to see him on the red carpet during the Opening Night of the Cinema Italian Style Film Festival, the part of AFI FEST 2018 presented by Audi and the American Cinematheque. The red carpet event was followed by the screening of Dogman.
Marcello portrays a dog groomer who makes extra money as a cocaine dealer. He gets into trouble with his so-called friend Simone, a violent boxer who threatens the whole community. The movie makes us to think about life, human rights, morals and modern society. There are no heroes in the film: harmless Marcello sells drugs, Simone threatens everyone but loves his mother, and only people from their neighborhood seem to be nice…. but one day the whole community starts ignoring Marcello even when Simone beats him up. At the end of the film we see Marcello is the one who defeats Simone and brings violence to an end. Dogman reminds us of the story about David and Goliath.
In the movie each character lives according to his or her own morals that might be different from norms established by society but there are heroes like Marcello who save lives and people like Simone who take lives. And then we see modern society that fails to protect its members.
Dogman will be presenting Italy in the category of the best foreign-language film during the Oscars 2019 season.
Other red carpet attendees included Consul General Antonio Verde, director and actress Annabelle Attanasio who received Cinecitta Key Award, Elvis Presley’s former wife Priscilla Presley, actress and filmmaker Valeria Golino who received Cinecitta Key Award for Achievement In Media, songwriter Teddy Geiger, and others.
There are many great movies to watch during the festival including Boys Cry (directors Damiano and Fabio D’ Innocenzo), The Stolen Caravaggio (director Roberto Ando), Naples In Veils (director Ferzan Ozpetek), There Is No Place Like Home (director Gabriele Muccino), Euphoria (director Valeria Golino), and many others.
The festival takes place on November 13-18. For more information check the website http://www.cinemaitalianstyle.com
The event is supported by the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles. Luce Cinecittà, and the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles, the Italian Trade Agency and the Italian Cultural Institute.
