In a groundbreaking cultural event, Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore is set to make his maiden visit to India, as part of the ‘Cinema Italian Style – Celebrating Tornatore and the Masters of Italian Cinema’ festival. Organized by the not-for-profit Film Heritage Foundation in collaboration with Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai, Axis Bank, and Education Partner IED Istituto Europeo di Design, this unique event promises to be a celebration of Italy’s rich cinematic heritage.
Scheduled to take place from September 27 to 29, 2024, at Regal Cinema in Mumbai, the festival will feature restored Italian classics from legendary filmmakers. Headlining the event will be none other than Giuseppe Tornatore, the iconic director behind films like ‘Cinema Paradiso’, ‘Malèna’, and ‘Ennio’. Tornatore will not only present his timeless masterpiece ‘Cinema Paradiso’ but will also host a masterclass and a fireside chat with cinema enthusiasts and members of the Indian film fraternity.
Tornatore’s visit marks a special moment in the cultural exchange between Italy and India, with the filmmaker also set to present the Film Heritage Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection during the festival’s opening ceremony. Reflecting on his upcoming visit, Tornatore shared, “I am so happy to be coming to India for the first time. I have known about the amazing work of Film Heritage Foundation in preserving and restoring India’s cinematic heritage… I was delighted to hear that my film ‘Cinema Paradiso’ is known and loved in India.”
The festival will be a cinephile’s dream, showcasing not just Tornatore’s classics, but also restored films by Italian legends such as Luchino Visconti, Federico Fellini, Vittorio de Sica, and Sergio Leone. ‘Cinema Paradiso’ (1988), Tornatore’s Oscar-winning tribute to the magic of cinema, will lead the screenings, followed by his poignant documentary ‘Ennio’ (2021) and the acclaimed ‘Malèna’ (2000), starring Monica Bellucci. Other Italian masterpieces, including ‘Marriage Italian Style’ (1964), ‘Senso’ (1954), ‘La Dolce Vita’ (1960), and ‘Once Upon a Time in America’ (1984), will also be screened.
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, the Director of Film Heritage Foundation, expressed his excitement about Tornatore’s participation: “We are delighted that a legend of Italian cinema, Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore, has agreed to come to Mumbai… His film ‘Cinema Paradiso’ will open the 3-day film festival, and Mumbai audiences will have the chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of his films and the greatest of restored Italian classics.”
Francesca Amendola, Director of Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the significance of showcasing restored classics and partnering with the Film Heritage Foundation. “The 7 great Italian classic movies of this festival have all been restored by highly skilled laboratories… It will be a pleasure for all of us to watch Tornatore’s perfectly restored films, together with him, in the same hall.”
The screenings will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, offering a rare opportunity to experience these restored cinematic treasures in their full glory. Tornatore’s visit, coupled with the presentation of restored classics, is poised to make this festival an unforgettable celebration of Italian cinema.
Film Screenings
1. Cinema Paradiso (1988) – Giuseppe Tornatore’s Oscar-winning masterpiece.
2. Ennio (2021) – A documentary on the legendary composer Ennio Morricone.
3. Malèna (2000) – Starring Monica Bellucci in one of her most iconic roles.
4. Marriage Italian Style (1964) – A romantic comedy by Vittorio de Sica.
5. Senso (1954) – A Technicolor tragic romance by Luchino Visconti.
6. La Dolce Vita (1960) – Federico Fellini’s critique of celebrity culture.
7. Once Upon a Time in America (1984) – Sergio Leone’s epic crime drama.
Mark your calendars and join the celebration of timeless Italian cinema from September 27 to 29, 2024, at Regal Cinema, Mumbai.
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