Roma Film Fest: Italian and American Cinema Shine

The 13th Rome Film Fest showcased a wealth of auteur cinema. On October 25th, international stars graced the red carpet and engaged with the audience, bridging the gap between cinematic artistry and contemporary issues. Two cinematic giants, one Italian and one American, particularly illuminated the festival. Following its audience award win in Toronto and its Zurich Film Festival premiere, *Green Book*, Peter Farrelly’s fact-based film about the unlikely friendship between Black musician Doc Shirley (Mahershala Ali) and his Italo-American driver, Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), arrived in Rome. Mortensen, returning to the festival after presenting *Captain Fantastic* in 2016, participated in a press conference, charmingly offering occasional responses in his passable Italian: “English is easier, but I’ll do my best.” Meanwhile, the festival celebrated one of Italy’s most acclaimed and beloved filmmakers. On October 25th, Giuseppe Tornatore engaged in an intimate session with the public at the Auditorium Parco della Musica’s Sala Petrassi. Tornatore, renowned for his universal storytelling through a unique personal style – from the Oscar-winning *Cinema Paradiso* to nominations for films like *The Star Maker* – discussed his enduring passion for film noir, spanning both cinema and literature. This year, the festival commemorated the first anniversary of Luce Cinecittà’s return to public control (July 3, 2017) with screenings of iconic films produced within its walls. Following screenings of *Once Upon a Time in America* and *Bellissima*, Federico Fellini’s *8½* took center stage. The official selection concluded on October 26th with six films. Bart Layton’s *American Animals*, a gripping tale of college students’ audacious attempt to steal a rare book, played at the Auditorium Parco della Musica’s Sala Sinopoli. Later, Matthew Heineman’s *A Private War*, a poignant tribute to war correspondent Marie Colvin, explored the human cost of her courageous work. The festival also showcased Giovanni Zoppeddu’s documentary *Diario di tonnara*, a powerful portrayal of Sicilian tuna fishing communities, and Tim Wardle’s *Three Identical Strangers*, a captivating documentary about triplets separated at birth. Tania Hernández Velasco’s *Titixe*, exploring the legacy of agricultural traditions in Mexico, was also screened. Finally, an exhibition celebrating Marcello Mastroianni opened at the Ara Pacis Museum, showcasing the life and career of this iconic Italian actor, running until February 17, 2019.