Rome Film Festival kicks off with tributes to Cardinale

With the screening of more than 150 films from dozens of countries and a wide-ranging program, the Rome Film Festival began this Wednesday (15), in Italy.

The 20th edition of the mega event, which runs until October 26, will feature the participation of several national and international film stars, including Jennifer Lawrence, Angelina Jolie and Matilda De Angelis.

The opening ceremony, which took place without major incidents despite threats of a pro-Palestinian protest, was hosted by Ema Stokholma. The French-Italian presenter and DJ recalled that Rome is the city "that welcomed her as a teenager, healed her wounds, and was like a mother."

"We're thrilled, of course, because this is the 20th anniversary celebration, so it's a special celebration. We're happy that Rome is the capital of cinema, that there's a great atmosphere, and we want a party that really involves the whole city," said Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri.

The festival kicked off with Riccardo Milani's feature film "La Vita va Così," which will be released in Italian theaters on October 23rd and is out of competition. The film tells the true story of a Sardinian shepherd who, to defend his roots, single-handedly takes on the construction of a resort.

An icon of Italian and world cinema, the Italian-Tunisian actress Claudia Cardinale, who passed away on September 23rd at the age of 87, was honored at the opening of the festival with a video that, to the sound of the waltz from "The Leopard", brought together some of her most striking performances.

"She represented the strength, beauty, and warmth of the great Mediterranean tradition. In such a tragic moment as the one we are living in, her smile, her gaze, and her memorable performances restore to us that confidence in humanity that, every day, we are more convinced is abandoning us," said Salvo Nastasi, president of the Rome Film Foundation.

Another notable moment on the first day of the festival was the award given to British producer David Puttnam, who revealed that he discovered Italian cinema when he was "just over 20 years old".

Paola Cortellesi, president of the Progressive Cinema competition jury, also took the stage. In her speech, the director emphasized that the festival "is wonderful because it involves the entire city and celebrates the art and beauty of cinema, with theaters packed with young people."