Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Juliette Binoche and Italy’s Anna Ferzetti — who stars in Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film “La Grazia” — are among the top honorees of the 11th edition of Filming Italy — Los Angeles. The event, which bridges Italy and Hollywood, will run Feb. 10-14.
Ferzetti, who besides starring in “La Grazia” recently appeared in Ferzan Ozpetek’s smash hit “Diamonds” and the generational comedy “Classmates,” is also this year’s “ambassador.” Filming Italy — Los Angeles is headed by marketing guru and longtime Italian industry promoter Tiziana Rocca, who also leads the Taormina Film Festival.
“Ferzetti is having a great year in a panoply of different types of roles that really make her shine,” Rocca told Variety.
Besides being honored, Binoche will be presenting her directorial debut “In-I In Motion” that charts her cathartic experience co-creating and performing a dance show with well-known British choreographer Akram Khan.
Other notable names expected to attend Filming Italy in various guises include Julian Schnabel; Oscar-nominated casting director Francine Maisler (“Sinners”); “Emily in Paris” star Samuel Arnold; “Rocky” and “Creed” actor Dolph Lundgren; and Oscar-nominated costume designer Miyako Bellizzi (“Marty Supreme”).
As previously announced, Iconic Italian actor Franco Nero, —who gained worldwide fame in Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 classic Spaghetti Western “Django” — will also be honored during Filming Italy, which has been instrumental to his Hollywood Walk of Fame induction on Feb. 12.
A Nero retrospective featuring Florestano Mancini’s political drama “The Matteotti Murder,” about the 1924 kidnapping and assassination of Italian Socialist leader Giacomo Matteotti by Fascist thugs after he exposed electoral fraud, will also be part of the Nero tribute.
Rocca is particularly proud that Filming Italy has now secured its third star dedicated to an Italian artist, following the awarding of stars to Gina Lollobrigida in 2018 on the occasion of her 90th birthday, and Giancarlo Giannini in 2023.
Fresh Italian movies set to screen at the fest include Italian comedy sensation Checco Zalone’s smash hit “Buen Camino,” which just became Italy’s all-time top box office draw with an $82 million haul, and Paolo Genovese’s concept comedy “Madly,” which also scored mightily in Italy.
