Italian state broadcaster Rai is under heavy fire amid allegations that it censored a planned anti-fascist monologue by prominent writer Antonio Scurati, author of international bestseller “M: Son of the Century,” which reconstructs fascist dictator Benito Mussolini’s rise to power.
Scurati was meant to read his monologue – written to mark the country’s upcoming April 25 national holiday that celebrates Italy’s liberation from fascism – on the talk show “Chesarà,” which aired on the broadcaster’s Rai 3 channel Saturday night.
Shortly before the show’s airtime, as the writer prepared to travel to Rome, he received a note from Rai informing him that his appearance had been canceled “for editorial reasons,” according to an internal Rai document published by leftist daily La Repubblica.
In protest against the sudden muzzling, “Chesarà” host Serena Bortone read out the monologue in full on the talk show herself. Scurati’s text has also...
Scurati was meant to read his monologue – written to mark the country’s upcoming April 25 national holiday that celebrates Italy’s liberation from fascism – on the talk show “Chesarà,” which aired on the broadcaster’s Rai 3 channel Saturday night.
Shortly before the show’s airtime, as the writer prepared to travel to Rome, he received a note from Rai informing him that his appearance had been canceled “for editorial reasons,” according to an internal Rai document published by leftist daily La Repubblica.
In protest against the sudden muzzling, “Chesarà” host Serena Bortone read out the monologue in full on the talk show herself. Scurati’s text has also...
- 4/22/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Italy Pm Giorgia Meloni Is Seeking Damages In the Deep Fake Video Case(Photo Credit –Instagram)
Fake videos of celebrities have been the cause of concern for years, but the latest victim will shock you. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is the newest victim of the deep fake videos. The Italian Pm, Meloni is seeking over 100,000 Euros, roughly $109 000 in Usd, as compensation damages after deep fake adult videos of her were created and made viral online.
The deep fake video dates back to 2022, before Giorgia Meloni was appointed Prime Minister. The investigators on the case traced the sources of these deep fake videos back to a 40-year-old Man and his 73-year-old father and charged them with defamation. As per reports, Police officers tracked the smartphones that were used to upload the videos onto adult video sites.
The indictment claims that the defamatory videos were watched “millions of times” after they...
Fake videos of celebrities have been the cause of concern for years, but the latest victim will shock you. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is the newest victim of the deep fake videos. The Italian Pm, Meloni is seeking over 100,000 Euros, roughly $109 000 in Usd, as compensation damages after deep fake adult videos of her were created and made viral online.
The deep fake video dates back to 2022, before Giorgia Meloni was appointed Prime Minister. The investigators on the case traced the sources of these deep fake videos back to a 40-year-old Man and his 73-year-old father and charged them with defamation. As per reports, Police officers tracked the smartphones that were used to upload the videos onto adult video sites.
The indictment claims that the defamatory videos were watched “millions of times” after they...
- 3/21/2024
- by Aayushi Hemnani
- KoiMoi
Giorgio Armani is not Donatella Versace. He doesn’t like politics. He doesn’t like controversy. He never gets out of line on current political events. He loves to talk only about fashion. Most of all, his own.
Donatella Versace, for her part, often takes a stand. Her speech on the stage of Milan’s La Scala Theater during the Fashion Awards last year was memorable. A harsh frontal attack on Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni for her discriminatory policies toward same-sex parents, it was heard around the world.
Although he might be sensitive to the topic, Giorgio Armani, on the other hand, for one of his show finales a few seasons ago, paraded five couples — each composed only of a man and a woman, couples ostensibly heterosexual and traditional — down the runway. “It’s a precise choice I wanted. To see an attractive, serious couple again,” the designer admitted...
Donatella Versace, for her part, often takes a stand. Her speech on the stage of Milan’s La Scala Theater during the Fashion Awards last year was memorable. A harsh frontal attack on Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni for her discriminatory policies toward same-sex parents, it was heard around the world.
Although he might be sensitive to the topic, Giorgio Armani, on the other hand, for one of his show finales a few seasons ago, paraded five couples — each composed only of a man and a woman, couples ostensibly heterosexual and traditional — down the runway. “It’s a precise choice I wanted. To see an attractive, serious couple again,” the designer admitted...
- 2/27/2024
- by Pino Gagliardi
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Berlin International Film Festival has confirmed it has invited two elected members of the German far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to the opening ceremony of the 74th Berlinale but says it continues to “stand for basic democratic values and against right-wing extremism.”
AfD politicians, Kristin Brinker and Ronald Gläser, both members of the Berlin State Parliament, were invited to the Berlinale opening ceremony on Feb. 15. The invitations have sparked outrage, with a group of film professionals from Berlin and abroad signing an open letter to the festival protesting the decision.
In a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter, the Berlinale acknowledged that “a number of members and representatives of the AfD hold positions that are deeply anti-democratic and contradict the values of the Berlinale and the values of our employees” but noted that the festival’s protocol is to invite democratically elected politicians. All the invited AfD members...
AfD politicians, Kristin Brinker and Ronald Gläser, both members of the Berlin State Parliament, were invited to the Berlinale opening ceremony on Feb. 15. The invitations have sparked outrage, with a group of film professionals from Berlin and abroad signing an open letter to the festival protesting the decision.
In a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter, the Berlinale acknowledged that “a number of members and representatives of the AfD hold positions that are deeply anti-democratic and contradict the values of the Berlinale and the values of our employees” but noted that the festival’s protocol is to invite democratically elected politicians. All the invited AfD members...
- 2/3/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
For Italian conductor Beatrice Venezi, 2024 kicked off on a decidedly sour note.
On New Year’s Eve the baton-wielding Venezi, a friend of right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, was heckled at the Opéra de Nice by French anti-fascist protesters as she took to the podium.
The incident reflected tensions rippling through European entertainment industry circles as far-right parties sweep to power in Italy and the Netherlands and gain ground across the EU.
Italy took a sharp turn to the right in 2022, when Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party has neo-fascist roots, emerged the winner in the national elections. Since then her right-wing camp, which denies accusations of nostalgia for fascism, has moved to hold more sway within state-controlled media and cultural institutions such as broadcaster Rai, the Centro Sperimentale film school and the Biennale, the Venice Film Festival’s parent organization.
Scrutiny is being directed at Venezi, an adviser to Meloni-appointed culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano.
On New Year’s Eve the baton-wielding Venezi, a friend of right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, was heckled at the Opéra de Nice by French anti-fascist protesters as she took to the podium.
The incident reflected tensions rippling through European entertainment industry circles as far-right parties sweep to power in Italy and the Netherlands and gain ground across the EU.
Italy took a sharp turn to the right in 2022, when Meloni, whose Brothers of Italy party has neo-fascist roots, emerged the winner in the national elections. Since then her right-wing camp, which denies accusations of nostalgia for fascism, has moved to hold more sway within state-controlled media and cultural institutions such as broadcaster Rai, the Centro Sperimentale film school and the Biennale, the Venice Film Festival’s parent organization.
Scrutiny is being directed at Venezi, an adviser to Meloni-appointed culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano.
- 2/2/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Veteran actor Kabir Bedi was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the highest Italian civilian award. After the event in Mumbai, there was a special live musical performance by Niccolo Fabi which set off the celebrations perfectly.
“This is a very emotional award for me,” Kabir said.
“Being presented the Order of Merit, Italy’s highest honour, is the fulfillment of my life’s work in Italy. It’s even higher than Cavaliere (Knight), which they made me twelve years ago. It gives me great joy to see Prime Minister Meloni and Prime Minister Narendra Modi complimenting each other on the internet with #Melodi.”
He added: “Now it’s time for the great film industries of Italy and India to produce world-class films together.”
Kabir gave a heartwarming speech thanking Italy and the Italian people for their enduring love over the years. He thanked his wife,...
“This is a very emotional award for me,” Kabir said.
“Being presented the Order of Merit, Italy’s highest honour, is the fulfillment of my life’s work in Italy. It’s even higher than Cavaliere (Knight), which they made me twelve years ago. It gives me great joy to see Prime Minister Meloni and Prime Minister Narendra Modi complimenting each other on the internet with #Melodi.”
He added: “Now it’s time for the great film industries of Italy and India to produce world-class films together.”
Kabir gave a heartwarming speech thanking Italy and the Italian people for their enduring love over the years. He thanked his wife,...
- 12/11/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Veteran actor Kabir Bedi was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the highest Italian civilian award. After the event in Mumbai, there was a special live musical performance by Niccolo Fabi which set off the celebrations perfectly.
“This is a very emotional award for me,” Kabir said.
“Being presented the Order of Merit, Italy’s highest honour, is the fulfillment of my life’s work in Italy. It’s even higher than Cavaliere (Knight), which they made me twelve years ago. It gives me great joy to see Prime Minister Meloni and Prime Minister Narendra Modi complimenting each other on the internet with #Melodi.”
He added: “Now it’s time for the great film industries of Italy and India to produce world-class films together.”
Kabir gave a heartwarming speech thanking Italy and the Italian people for their enduring love over the years. He thanked his wife,...
“This is a very emotional award for me,” Kabir said.
“Being presented the Order of Merit, Italy’s highest honour, is the fulfillment of my life’s work in Italy. It’s even higher than Cavaliere (Knight), which they made me twelve years ago. It gives me great joy to see Prime Minister Meloni and Prime Minister Narendra Modi complimenting each other on the internet with #Melodi.”
He added: “Now it’s time for the great film industries of Italy and India to produce world-class films together.”
Kabir gave a heartwarming speech thanking Italy and the Italian people for their enduring love over the years. He thanked his wife,...
- 12/11/2023
- by Agency News Desk
For the international film industry, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, the man nominated to take over as the next president of the Venice Biennale, the foundation that oversees the Venice Film Festival, is a bit of an unknown. Not so in Italy, where Buttafuoco is one of the most prominent voices of Italy’s new right-wing, which has seen political success in the election last year of Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Fratelli d’Italia party.
The 60-year writer and journalist was literally born into the Italian right — his uncle was the extreme-right politician Antonino Buttafuoco —and for decades, as a journalist, novelist and television commenter, has been one of the right-wing’s prime promoters. He wrote a glowing biography of late Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was obsessed with what he saw as the hegemony of “the communists” in Italian cultural institutions. In a recent radio broadcast,...
The 60-year writer and journalist was literally born into the Italian right — his uncle was the extreme-right politician Antonino Buttafuoco —and for decades, as a journalist, novelist and television commenter, has been one of the right-wing’s prime promoters. He wrote a glowing biography of late Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was obsessed with what he saw as the hegemony of “the communists” in Italian cultural institutions. In a recent radio broadcast,...
- 10/30/2023
- by Scott Roxborough and Roberto Brunelli
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Writer nominated by Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano.
Right-wing journalist and writer Pietrangelo Buttafuoco has been nominated by Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano to take over as chairman of the Venice Biennale Foundation which runs the Venice Film Festival.
He will replace Roberto Cicutto when the latter’s term ends in March. Buttafuoco’s nomination requires parliamentary approval but is regarded as a formality.
Italian newswire Ansa described Buttafuoco as “one of Italy’s top public intellectuals and a practising Muslim” and described him as a far-right activist in his youth like Italian premier Giorgia Meloni who, like her, has...
Right-wing journalist and writer Pietrangelo Buttafuoco has been nominated by Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano to take over as chairman of the Venice Biennale Foundation which runs the Venice Film Festival.
He will replace Roberto Cicutto when the latter’s term ends in March. Buttafuoco’s nomination requires parliamentary approval but is regarded as a formality.
Italian newswire Ansa described Buttafuoco as “one of Italy’s top public intellectuals and a practising Muslim” and described him as a far-right activist in his youth like Italian premier Giorgia Meloni who, like her, has...
- 10/27/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
The Venice Biennale Foundation, which oversees the Venice International Film Festival, has nominated right-wing writer Pietrangelo Buttafuoco to become its new President, according to multiple Italian media sources.
Buttafuoco is set to replace Roberto Cicutto after being appointed by Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano of Italy’s right-wing coalition government. He will take up the post when Cicutto’s run comes to an end in March 2024.
The appointment needs to be ratified by Italy’s parliament, with the Culture Commission from the chamber and senate announcing their opinions on November 14.
According to Italian news agency Ansa, which first reported the news, Buttafuoco practiced similar far-right politics as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a youth but now takes more traditionally conservative views and even writes for left-wing newspapers. He is considered a maverick thinker.
Rome Mayor and cinema association Anica President Francesco Rutelli told Ansa Buttafuoco is “never a banal intellectual...
Buttafuoco is set to replace Roberto Cicutto after being appointed by Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano of Italy’s right-wing coalition government. He will take up the post when Cicutto’s run comes to an end in March 2024.
The appointment needs to be ratified by Italy’s parliament, with the Culture Commission from the chamber and senate announcing their opinions on November 14.
According to Italian news agency Ansa, which first reported the news, Buttafuoco practiced similar far-right politics as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a youth but now takes more traditionally conservative views and even writes for left-wing newspapers. He is considered a maverick thinker.
Rome Mayor and cinema association Anica President Francesco Rutelli told Ansa Buttafuoco is “never a banal intellectual...
- 10/27/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The saga of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni splitting from her partner, Mediaset TV personality Andrea Giambruno, after leaked outtakes revealed the anchorman making sexist remarks, is gripping the country amid speculation of political conspiracy behind the incident.
Meloni, who became Italy’s first female prime minister a year ago when her right-wing Brothers of Italy party scored big in the country’s national elections, officially dumped Giambruno — her partner for a decade and the father of their young daughter (pictured above with Pope Francis) — last Friday via social media.
In Facebook and X posts, Meloni alerted the country that she and her partner had been split up “for some time” after Mediaset’s primetime satirical show “Striscia La Notizia” (“The News Spreads”) aired hot mic and video clip footage of Giambruno grabbing his crotch and apparently hitting on his co-anchor and another unidentified woman.
“Can I touch my package...
Meloni, who became Italy’s first female prime minister a year ago when her right-wing Brothers of Italy party scored big in the country’s national elections, officially dumped Giambruno — her partner for a decade and the father of their young daughter (pictured above with Pope Francis) — last Friday via social media.
In Facebook and X posts, Meloni alerted the country that she and her partner had been split up “for some time” after Mediaset’s primetime satirical show “Striscia La Notizia” (“The News Spreads”) aired hot mic and video clip footage of Giambruno grabbing his crotch and apparently hitting on his co-anchor and another unidentified woman.
“Can I touch my package...
- 10/26/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
“We should have those hostages released and then we can talk,” President Joe Biden said Monday as two more hostages were let go by Hamas amid further rising tensions and deaths in the Middle East.
Speaking at a D.C. event to announce an investment in regional tech hubs and to discuss the economy, Biden’s remark came in response to a reporter’s question about whether the U.S. supports a “hostages for ceasefire deal” in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The release today of Nurit Cooper, 79, and Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, now confirmed by the Israeli government, dominated coverage on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and BBC World News today. Seen online, Biden’s speech and comments were not covered live – unlike a press briefing earlier in the day by National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
While not mentioning the hostages specifically, Biden cut short his remarks as news of their release spread.
Speaking at a D.C. event to announce an investment in regional tech hubs and to discuss the economy, Biden’s remark came in response to a reporter’s question about whether the U.S. supports a “hostages for ceasefire deal” in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The release today of Nurit Cooper, 79, and Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, now confirmed by the Israeli government, dominated coverage on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and BBC World News today. Seen online, Biden’s speech and comments were not covered live – unlike a press briefing earlier in the day by National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
While not mentioning the hostages specifically, Biden cut short his remarks as news of their release spread.
- 10/23/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Giorgia Meloni, the first female prime minister of Italy, announced she has split from her longtime partner, television presenter Andrea Giambruno, after his lewd and sexist comments to his female colleagues were caught on camera and broadcast.
Meloni, a right-wing populist, made the announcement just hours after the broadcast of the video, in which her boyfriend propositioned female colleagues for a threesome and admitted to an affair on the set of his show, Diary del Giorno (Daily Agenda).
In one clip, he makes suggestive remarks to a female journalist as he paces the set of his TV show and repeatedly touches his crotch.
He asks her, “Can I touch my b— while I talk to you?”
In another conversation with a female colleague, Giambruno said, “How are you, darling? Do you know that [name redacted] and I are having an affair? All of Mediaset knows it, and now you do, too. But...
Meloni, a right-wing populist, made the announcement just hours after the broadcast of the video, in which her boyfriend propositioned female colleagues for a threesome and admitted to an affair on the set of his show, Diary del Giorno (Daily Agenda).
In one clip, he makes suggestive remarks to a female journalist as he paces the set of his TV show and repeatedly touches his crotch.
He asks her, “Can I touch my b— while I talk to you?”
In another conversation with a female colleague, Giambruno said, “How are you, darling? Do you know that [name redacted] and I are having an affair? All of Mediaset knows it, and now you do, too. But...
- 10/21/2023
- by Baila Eve Zisman
- Uinterview
The Sean Penn-produced satirical series “C*A*U*G*H*T” has dropped out of Mipcom due to the Israel-Hamas war.
“In light of the current situation unfolding in Israel, we have taken the decision not to showcase ‘C*A*U*G*H*T’ at Mipcom this year,” Fremantle said in a statement. “At this time, our hearts and thoughts are with our colleagues and our partners in Israel, and all those affected.”
Australian-made “C*A*U*G*H*T” was meant to hold a Media Mastermind Keynote at the international TV conference in Cannes on Oct. 18. Penn was set to be in attendance, as well as series star Matthew Fox and creator, writer and director Kick Gurry.
The Stan original series follows “four Australian soldiers on a covert mission in a war-torn country,” according to its official plot description. “Mistaken for Americans, they’re captured and produce a hostage video that achieves unexpected viral success,...
“In light of the current situation unfolding in Israel, we have taken the decision not to showcase ‘C*A*U*G*H*T’ at Mipcom this year,” Fremantle said in a statement. “At this time, our hearts and thoughts are with our colleagues and our partners in Israel, and all those affected.”
Australian-made “C*A*U*G*H*T” was meant to hold a Media Mastermind Keynote at the international TV conference in Cannes on Oct. 18. Penn was set to be in attendance, as well as series star Matthew Fox and creator, writer and director Kick Gurry.
The Stan original series follows “four Australian soldiers on a covert mission in a war-torn country,” according to its official plot description. “Mistaken for Americans, they’re captured and produce a hostage video that achieves unexpected viral success,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Donatella Versace criticized the Italian government for new anti-lgbtq laws that restrict same-sex couple’s rights during her speech at the Cnmi Sustainable Fashion Awards at Milan’s Fashion Week.
Versace spoke in support of the LGBTQ community and stated, “Our government is trying to take away people’s rights to live as they wish, they are restricting our freedoms.”
She continued, “The freedom to walk down the street with our heads held high and without fear, regardless of identity. The freedom to build a family and live as one wishes. The freedom to love whom one wishes. We all have to fight for freedom.”
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who started his position last year, has recently enacted multiple laws limiting the rights of the LGBTQ community. These include policies that forbid two same-sex partners from registering as the parents of a child and a ban on couples to hiring surrogates.
Versace spoke in support of the LGBTQ community and stated, “Our government is trying to take away people’s rights to live as they wish, they are restricting our freedoms.”
She continued, “The freedom to walk down the street with our heads held high and without fear, regardless of identity. The freedom to build a family and live as one wishes. The freedom to love whom one wishes. We all have to fight for freedom.”
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who started his position last year, has recently enacted multiple laws limiting the rights of the LGBTQ community. These include policies that forbid two same-sex partners from registering as the parents of a child and a ban on couples to hiring surrogates.
- 9/29/2023
- by Nina Hauswirth
- Uinterview
Italian fashion icon Donatella Versace has sharply criticized moves by Italy’s far-right government to restrict the rights of same-sex couples, lashing out at anti-lgbtq+ policies in a speech Sunday night at the Cnmi Sustainable Fashion Awards during Milan Fashion Week.
The new Italian government, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which took power last year, has rolled out several new laws, including policies ordering municipalities to stop the registration of most children with same-sex parents and extending a national ban on surrogacy for same-sex couples, making it illegal to go abroad for the practice, with prison terms of up to two years and a fine of up to 1 million euro ($1.06 million).
“Our government is trying to take away people’s rights to live as they wish, they are restricting our freedoms,” said Versace in her speech Sunday night. “The freedom to walk down the street with our heads held high and without fear,...
The new Italian government, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which took power last year, has rolled out several new laws, including policies ordering municipalities to stop the registration of most children with same-sex parents and extending a national ban on surrogacy for same-sex couples, making it illegal to go abroad for the practice, with prison terms of up to two years and a fine of up to 1 million euro ($1.06 million).
“Our government is trying to take away people’s rights to live as they wish, they are restricting our freedoms,” said Versace in her speech Sunday night. “The freedom to walk down the street with our heads held high and without fear,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Pino Gagliardi
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Italy has picked Matteo Garrone’s moving migration drama Io Capitano to represent the country in the 2024 Oscars in the best international film category.
The feature, which follows the trials of two Senegalese teenagers trying to make it from Dakar to Italy — across the Sahara desert and over the Mediterranean Sea — premiered at the Venice Film Festival where it won the best director Silver Lion for Garrone and the best new actor prize for lead Seydou Sarr. The Hollywood Reporter picked the film as one of the 15 best movies of this year’s fall festivals.
Io Capitano is especially timely given the new hard line towards immigration taken by Italy’s far-right government under Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Speaking at the U.N. this week, Meloni called for tighter controls on migration, saying she would not allow Italy to become “Europe’s refugee camp.”
Io Capitano was picked by...
The feature, which follows the trials of two Senegalese teenagers trying to make it from Dakar to Italy — across the Sahara desert and over the Mediterranean Sea — premiered at the Venice Film Festival where it won the best director Silver Lion for Garrone and the best new actor prize for lead Seydou Sarr. The Hollywood Reporter picked the film as one of the 15 best movies of this year’s fall festivals.
Io Capitano is especially timely given the new hard line towards immigration taken by Italy’s far-right government under Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Speaking at the U.N. this week, Meloni called for tighter controls on migration, saying she would not allow Italy to become “Europe’s refugee camp.”
Io Capitano was picked by...
- 9/20/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 80th Venice Film Festival kicks off Wednesday with a robust roster of awards season hopefuls making their bows, such as Michael Mann’s “Ferrari,” Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,” Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” and David Fincher’s “The Killer,” accompanied by a smattering of stars.
As previously reported by Variety, the festival has confirmed that Adam Driver will be in Venice to promote “Ferrari” while Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi, who play Priscilla and Elvis Presley in “Priscilla,” as well as Priscilla Presley herself, are also expected to be on the Lido. Jessica Chastain is expected to jet in for Mexican auteur Michel Franco’s “Memory,” which is screening toward the end of the fest.
Although Cooper is not coming to Venice, his Netflix drama about Leonard Bernstein will be promoted by the maestro’s progeny, Jamie and Alexander Bernstein and Nina Bernstein Simmons.
All told, there will be enough actors,...
As previously reported by Variety, the festival has confirmed that Adam Driver will be in Venice to promote “Ferrari” while Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi, who play Priscilla and Elvis Presley in “Priscilla,” as well as Priscilla Presley herself, are also expected to be on the Lido. Jessica Chastain is expected to jet in for Mexican auteur Michel Franco’s “Memory,” which is screening toward the end of the fest.
Although Cooper is not coming to Venice, his Netflix drama about Leonard Bernstein will be promoted by the maestro’s progeny, Jamie and Alexander Bernstein and Nina Bernstein Simmons.
All told, there will be enough actors,...
- 8/29/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The bizarre cage match challenge between tech tycoons Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg just got a little stranger.
In the last 24 hours, UFC President Dana White and Musk have both confirmed separately that they have talked with the Italian Ministry of Culture to hold the match in Italy.
The upcoming fight dates back to surprise exchange between the X (formerly Twitter) owner Musk and Meta founder Zuckerberg back in June.
Talking on the latest episode of boxing legend Mike Tyson’s podcast Hotboxin’, White reconfirmed that he had met with officials at the Ministry of Culture to discuss holding the fight in Rome’s Colosseum.
“We were talking about the Colosseum, and I actually did have a meeting with the Ministry of Culture’s team in Italy to actually hold that fight in the Colosseum, if it would happen,” he said on the subject of the Musk-Zuckerberg fight.
Tyson jokingly...
In the last 24 hours, UFC President Dana White and Musk have both confirmed separately that they have talked with the Italian Ministry of Culture to hold the match in Italy.
The upcoming fight dates back to surprise exchange between the X (formerly Twitter) owner Musk and Meta founder Zuckerberg back in June.
Talking on the latest episode of boxing legend Mike Tyson’s podcast Hotboxin’, White reconfirmed that he had met with officials at the Ministry of Culture to discuss holding the fight in Rome’s Colosseum.
“We were talking about the Colosseum, and I actually did have a meeting with the Ministry of Culture’s team in Italy to actually hold that fight in the Colosseum, if it would happen,” he said on the subject of the Musk-Zuckerberg fight.
Tyson jokingly...
- 8/11/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Placebo lead singer Brian Molko is the target of a defamation lawsuit filed by Italian Prime Minster Giorgia Meloni after making inflammatory comments about the right-wing leader during the band’s set at the Sonic Park Stupinigi festival in Turin on July 11th.
Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on Tuesday that Molko had been cited for calling Meloni a “fascist,” “piece of shit,” and “racist” amidst Placebo’s festival performance, which launched an investigation in regards to the country’s “contempt of the institutions” laws. Variety notes that any critic who “publicly defames the Republic” can incur a fine of 5,000 euros.
Meloni is the highest-ranking member of the far-right political party Brothers of Italy. She was elected as the country’s first female prime minister in October 2022 and ran on a strict anti-immigration and anti-lgbtq+ platform. According to The Daily Beast, the prime minister has already gained a litigious reputation...
Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on Tuesday that Molko had been cited for calling Meloni a “fascist,” “piece of shit,” and “racist” amidst Placebo’s festival performance, which launched an investigation in regards to the country’s “contempt of the institutions” laws. Variety notes that any critic who “publicly defames the Republic” can incur a fine of 5,000 euros.
Meloni is the highest-ranking member of the far-right political party Brothers of Italy. She was elected as the country’s first female prime minister in October 2022 and ran on a strict anti-immigration and anti-lgbtq+ platform. According to The Daily Beast, the prime minister has already gained a litigious reputation...
- 8/4/2023
- by Bryan Kress
- Consequence - Music
Tarak Ben Ammar has big plans for Italy. The Franco-Tunisian film and TV mogul is already a major player in the Italian industry thanks to Eagle Pictures, the production and distribution group he acquired in 2007 that is now Italy’s largest independent distributor due to exclusive distribution deals with Paramount and Sony Pictures for the territory. Ben Ammar joined Tom Cruise on the Rome red carpet for the June 19 world premiere of Paramount’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and later introduced Cruise to new Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni. “The meeting [between Cruise and Meloni] was very interesting. The prime minister knows a lot about cinema,” says Ben Ammar about the far-right leader.
Alongside Eagle’s distribution deals, the company has also partnered with Sony to co-produce six films together, including The Equalizer 3, the latest in Antoine Fuqua’s action franchise starring Denzel Washington that was shot entirely in Italy.
Alongside Eagle’s distribution deals, the company has also partnered with Sony to co-produce six films together, including The Equalizer 3, the latest in Antoine Fuqua’s action franchise starring Denzel Washington that was shot entirely in Italy.
- 8/3/2023
- by Pino Gagliardi
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
An underhanded move by members of Italy’s right-wing government to try and take over the management of Rome’s Centro Sperimentale Film School is prompting an uproar by its students and a strong show of support from the country’s top directors.
Earlier this week, students of the Centro Sperimentale — which is the oldest film school in the world, and among the finest — staged a demonstration in front of the country’s parliament just as a piece of legislation that would change the school’s management was swiftly being approved by a parliamentary committee. A ratification vote, expected in the coming days, would make it effective.
If passed by parliament, the legislation — which is being couched in small print within a larger bill — would basically oust the school’s current president — producer Marta Donzelli, whose Vivo Film is known for indie titles such as Susanna Nicchiarelli’s “Nico, 1988” and...
Earlier this week, students of the Centro Sperimentale — which is the oldest film school in the world, and among the finest — staged a demonstration in front of the country’s parliament just as a piece of legislation that would change the school’s management was swiftly being approved by a parliamentary committee. A ratification vote, expected in the coming days, would make it effective.
If passed by parliament, the legislation — which is being couched in small print within a larger bill — would basically oust the school’s current president — producer Marta Donzelli, whose Vivo Film is known for indie titles such as Susanna Nicchiarelli’s “Nico, 1988” and...
- 7/28/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
State Italian broadcaster Rai has axed a factual organized crime series by Gomorrah creator Roberto Saviano out of the blue, prompting accusations of political interference.
Rai CEO Roberto Sergio confirmed the cancellation in an interview with daily newspaper Il Messaggero on Wednesday, saying the move was “corporate and not political.”
Saviano, who is a long-standing harsh public critic of right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her government, hit back saying the move was politically motivated.
Italian media have suggested the decision was linked to Saviano’s repeated reference to controversial far-right politician Matteo Salvini as the “Minister of the Mala Vita”, or “Minister of the criminal underworld” in social media posts.
His use of the phrase dates back to Salvini’s term as Ministry of the Interior in 2019 when Saviano challenged his policies on migrant boats entering Italian waters.
Salvini, who is now Minister of Infrastructure and Deputy Prime Minister in Meloni’s government,...
Rai CEO Roberto Sergio confirmed the cancellation in an interview with daily newspaper Il Messaggero on Wednesday, saying the move was “corporate and not political.”
Saviano, who is a long-standing harsh public critic of right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her government, hit back saying the move was politically motivated.
Italian media have suggested the decision was linked to Saviano’s repeated reference to controversial far-right politician Matteo Salvini as the “Minister of the Mala Vita”, or “Minister of the criminal underworld” in social media posts.
His use of the phrase dates back to Salvini’s term as Ministry of the Interior in 2019 when Saviano challenged his policies on migrant boats entering Italian waters.
Salvini, who is now Minister of Infrastructure and Deputy Prime Minister in Meloni’s government,...
- 7/26/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Deputy culture minister tells Screen she wants to make tax credit applicable to content created by humans rather than AI.
The Italian government is working on reforms to its 40% tax credit for film and TV series.
Speaking to Screen at the Audiovisual Producers Summit in Trieste, deputy culture minister Lucia Borgonzoni stressed Italy was not looking to amend the headline 40% rate on offer to productions but wanted to “raise the quality level” of projects securing the credit.
Italy’s 40% tax credit has proved a big draw for international shoots, this year including films such as Edward Berger’s Conclave and...
The Italian government is working on reforms to its 40% tax credit for film and TV series.
Speaking to Screen at the Audiovisual Producers Summit in Trieste, deputy culture minister Lucia Borgonzoni stressed Italy was not looking to amend the headline 40% rate on offer to productions but wanted to “raise the quality level” of projects securing the credit.
Italy’s 40% tax credit has proved a big draw for international shoots, this year including films such as Edward Berger’s Conclave and...
- 7/20/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Deputy culture minister tells Screen she wants to make tax credit applicable to content created by humans rather than AI.
The Italian government is working on reforms to its 40% tax credit for film and TV series.
Speaking to Screen at the Audiovisual Producers Summit in Trieste, deputy culture minister Lucia Borgonzoni stressed that Italy was not looking to amend the headline 40% rate on offer to productions but wanted to “raise the quality level” of projects securing the credit.
Italy’s 40% tax credit has proved a big draw for international shoots, this year including films such as Edward Berger’s Conclave...
The Italian government is working on reforms to its 40% tax credit for film and TV series.
Speaking to Screen at the Audiovisual Producers Summit in Trieste, deputy culture minister Lucia Borgonzoni stressed that Italy was not looking to amend the headline 40% rate on offer to productions but wanted to “raise the quality level” of projects securing the credit.
Italy’s 40% tax credit has proved a big draw for international shoots, this year including films such as Edward Berger’s Conclave...
- 7/20/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
If location truly was everything, the Taormina Film Festival would be the biggest in the world.
Here on “Isola bella” (Sicilian for “beautiful island”) you have it all: The sun, the sea and sunsets that look CGI-ed in their beauty (one of the reasons The White Lotus picked the region as a backdrop for its latest season). Above it all, the volcano, Mount Etna, with its bursts of fire and ash adds drama to the proceedings. The landscape is palm trees and prickly pear cacti and all the colors of the Mediterranean. The air smells of basil. The festival screenings take place in the Teatro Antico amphitheater, one of the largest historic Greek theaters in all of Sicily.
It’s easy to see why, back in 1955, organizers decided to set up a film festival here. First in the city of Messina, from 1957 on before moving to the nearby municipality of Taormina.
Here on “Isola bella” (Sicilian for “beautiful island”) you have it all: The sun, the sea and sunsets that look CGI-ed in their beauty (one of the reasons The White Lotus picked the region as a backdrop for its latest season). Above it all, the volcano, Mount Etna, with its bursts of fire and ash adds drama to the proceedings. The landscape is palm trees and prickly pear cacti and all the colors of the Mediterranean. The air smells of basil. The festival screenings take place in the Teatro Antico amphitheater, one of the largest historic Greek theaters in all of Sicily.
It’s easy to see why, back in 1955, organizers decided to set up a film festival here. First in the city of Messina, from 1957 on before moving to the nearby municipality of Taormina.
- 6/27/2023
- by Ilaria Ravarino
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
He’s been crowned “The King of Models” by The New York Times, but Piero Piazzi, president of the modeling agency Women Management (part of the global giant Elite World Group), has never particularly liked that label.
“It’s an expression that always made me laugh,” he says, before jokingly adding “I don’t believe in monarchy!”
Marpessa Hennink, Monica Bellucci, Carla Bruni, Eva Riccobono, Maria Carla Boscono and Lea T are just some of the names Piazzi discovered and represented in the 1980s, an era in which now-household names like Naomi Campbell, Eva Herzigova and Kate Moss (Campbell is currently represented by Piazzi) became global superstars and helped to usher in the age of the supermodel.
THR Roma caught up with Piazzi, 60, at the European Parliament headquarters in Rome, where he was being presented with the Fashion Dresses Peace award for To Get There Ets, the non-profit association for...
“It’s an expression that always made me laugh,” he says, before jokingly adding “I don’t believe in monarchy!”
Marpessa Hennink, Monica Bellucci, Carla Bruni, Eva Riccobono, Maria Carla Boscono and Lea T are just some of the names Piazzi discovered and represented in the 1980s, an era in which now-household names like Naomi Campbell, Eva Herzigova and Kate Moss (Campbell is currently represented by Piazzi) became global superstars and helped to usher in the age of the supermodel.
THR Roma caught up with Piazzi, 60, at the European Parliament headquarters in Rome, where he was being presented with the Fashion Dresses Peace award for To Get There Ets, the non-profit association for...
- 6/21/2023
- by Pino Gagliardi
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The lucky few managed to snag a Mission Impossible 7-branded umbrella. There were dozens of them, neatly arranged on the marble banisters of the Spanish Steps, the majestic staircase of Rome’s Piazza di Spagna that is no stranger to large-scale social events, but rarely finds itself the center of a global premiere like this: The bow of Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning, Part One.
For everybody else — and we’re talking about thousands of people, of all ages and nationalities — all that’s left to do is to shelter themselves from the scorching sun, which melts the makeup of fans, journalists and influencers (TikTokers are there to the left of the Barcaccia fountain) alike. They spent more than half an hour taking photos of the piazza, with their studied poses and skimpy, glittery outfits.
The undisputed star on this very hot Roman afternoon is Tom Cruise. That quintessential action actor,...
For everybody else — and we’re talking about thousands of people, of all ages and nationalities — all that’s left to do is to shelter themselves from the scorching sun, which melts the makeup of fans, journalists and influencers (TikTokers are there to the left of the Barcaccia fountain) alike. They spent more than half an hour taking photos of the piazza, with their studied poses and skimpy, glittery outfits.
The undisputed star on this very hot Roman afternoon is Tom Cruise. That quintessential action actor,...
- 6/20/2023
- by Arianna Di Cori
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” was finally unveiled at a starry world premiere in Rome on Monday evening, drawing a packed gala screening in the Auditorium della Conciliazione, a stone’s throw from the Vatican.
The gala screening was delayed by more than 90 minutes as Tom Cruise was holding an apparently impromptu meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Palazzo Chigi, seat of the Italian government.
The crowd in the auditorium grew increasingly annoyed with having to watch interviews from the red carpet held earlier on the Spanish Steps in what started seeming like an endless loop on the venue’s screen, equipped with a Dolby Atmos sound system for the special occasion.
However there was warm applause when Cruise, director Christopher McQuarrie, and a large contingent of the film’s ensemble – including Hayley Atwell; Rebecca Ferguson; Simon Pegg; Vanessa Kirby; Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales, Shea Whigham...
The gala screening was delayed by more than 90 minutes as Tom Cruise was holding an apparently impromptu meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Palazzo Chigi, seat of the Italian government.
The crowd in the auditorium grew increasingly annoyed with having to watch interviews from the red carpet held earlier on the Spanish Steps in what started seeming like an endless loop on the venue’s screen, equipped with a Dolby Atmos sound system for the special occasion.
However there was warm applause when Cruise, director Christopher McQuarrie, and a large contingent of the film’s ensemble – including Hayley Atwell; Rebecca Ferguson; Simon Pegg; Vanessa Kirby; Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales, Shea Whigham...
- 6/19/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli, J. Kim Murphy and Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Italians on Wednesday bid farewell to TV tycoon and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi with a national day of mourning and a state funeral in Milan’s Duomo cathedral attended by top local political and business leaders and some foreign dignitaries, aired live across all the country’s main media outlets.
After the hearse with Berlusconi’s flower-draped casket drove slowly through Milan streets amid cheers, tens of thousands of people outside the Duomo erupted in applause as pallbearers solemnly carried the coffin through the crowd. Inside the cathedral his five children, Marina, Pier Silvio, Barbara, Eleonora and Luigi, and his 34-year-old girlfriend Marta Fascina, shed tears as the casket was placed in front of the altar and the Archbishop of Milan, Monsignor Mario Delpini, began the service.
Berlusconi died on Monday at age 86 at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan due to complications from leukemia. The man who created...
After the hearse with Berlusconi’s flower-draped casket drove slowly through Milan streets amid cheers, tens of thousands of people outside the Duomo erupted in applause as pallbearers solemnly carried the coffin through the crowd. Inside the cathedral his five children, Marina, Pier Silvio, Barbara, Eleonora and Luigi, and his 34-year-old girlfriend Marta Fascina, shed tears as the casket was placed in front of the altar and the Archbishop of Milan, Monsignor Mario Delpini, began the service.
Berlusconi died on Monday at age 86 at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan due to complications from leukemia. The man who created...
- 6/14/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
One of the biggest personalities in world media and politics is no more.
Whatever you thought of him, Silvio Berlusconi had a seismic impact on the European political sphere and the continent’s broadcasting landscape, in a way that many believe was completely intertwined.
Italy’s longest-serving post-war prime minister and the founder of European networks giant Mediaset died Monday at 86, and the onlookers have swiftly turned to his legacy and the future of his prized media assets. Mediaset, with its powerful Italian and Spanish subsidiaries, is now part of MediaForEurope (Mfe) — a conglomerate with a stake of nearly 30% in German heavyweight ProSiebenSat.1 alongside having TV broadcasting, production, podcasting and publishing assets.
Berlusconi’s route to the top of Europe’s media landscape is well-storied. Born into a middle-class family in Milan just before World War II, the tycoon was known throughout the world as a man who courted controversy wherever he went.
Whatever you thought of him, Silvio Berlusconi had a seismic impact on the European political sphere and the continent’s broadcasting landscape, in a way that many believe was completely intertwined.
Italy’s longest-serving post-war prime minister and the founder of European networks giant Mediaset died Monday at 86, and the onlookers have swiftly turned to his legacy and the future of his prized media assets. Mediaset, with its powerful Italian and Spanish subsidiaries, is now part of MediaForEurope (Mfe) — a conglomerate with a stake of nearly 30% in German heavyweight ProSiebenSat.1 alongside having TV broadcasting, production, podcasting and publishing assets.
Berlusconi’s route to the top of Europe’s media landscape is well-storied. Born into a middle-class family in Milan just before World War II, the tycoon was known throughout the world as a man who courted controversy wherever he went.
- 6/12/2023
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Flamboyant and controversial Italian media mogul and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who made headlines with his media empire, scandals over sex-fueled parties and corruption allegations alike, has died. He was 86.
Local media reports said he died at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. Berlusconi had been admitted to the hospital Friday for treatment of chronic leukemia, according to the Associated Press.
The twice-divorced tycoon, known for his perpetual tan and much younger girlfriends, made a name for himself as one of the richest people in the country and as the controlling shareholder of Mediaset, Italy’s largest media company, which owns three leading private TV channels. Seen by critics as an Italian version of Rupert Murdoch and other media titans, Berlusconi was regularly attacked for his dominance of the Italian media landscape.
After getting a law degree, he started a real estate company and had success by constructing apartment...
Local media reports said he died at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. Berlusconi had been admitted to the hospital Friday for treatment of chronic leukemia, according to the Associated Press.
The twice-divorced tycoon, known for his perpetual tan and much younger girlfriends, made a name for himself as one of the richest people in the country and as the controlling shareholder of Mediaset, Italy’s largest media company, which owns three leading private TV channels. Seen by critics as an Italian version of Rupert Murdoch and other media titans, Berlusconi was regularly attacked for his dominance of the Italian media landscape.
After getting a law degree, he started a real estate company and had success by constructing apartment...
- 6/12/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian Prime Minister and media mogul, has died at 86, according to Italian media reports. Local press said Berlusconi died at the San Raffaele hospital in Milan. He had been in poor health and, in April, was treated for a lung infection linked to a previously undisclosed case of chronic leukemia.
Related: Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries
Berlusconi was a highly controversial former Italian Prime Minister and media mogul who was a giant of Italian politics and the longest-serving in the post since World War II.
He served as Prime Minister of Italy in four governments from 1994 to 2011 and had recently been returned to the Senate of the Republic in the Giorgia Meloni government, leading the centre-right Forza Italia Party. Given his domineering political position, his death could lead to a destabilization of Italian politics in the coming months.
Along with A.C. Milan football club,...
Related: Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries
Berlusconi was a highly controversial former Italian Prime Minister and media mogul who was a giant of Italian politics and the longest-serving in the post since World War II.
He served as Prime Minister of Italy in four governments from 1994 to 2011 and had recently been returned to the Senate of the Republic in the Giorgia Meloni government, leading the centre-right Forza Italia Party. Given his domineering political position, his death could lead to a destabilization of Italian politics in the coming months.
Along with A.C. Milan football club,...
- 6/12/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Eight months after Italy took a sharp turn to the right, the government headed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – whose Brothers of Italy party has neo-fascist roots – is wreaking havoc at state broadcaster Rai, prompting the abrupt exit of several executives and TV personalities and causing alarm within the country’s film and TV sectors.
At Rai, where politics have always held sway, managing director Carlo Fuortes resigned earlier this month saying he was unwilling to “agree to changes” in the broadcaster’s content and programming “that I do not consider to be in Rai’s best interests,” he underlined.
Fuortes has now been replaced by Roberto Sergio, a veteran Rai executive who is considered basically bi-partisan. The pubcaster’s new general director, instead, is former Rai board member Giampaolo Rossi, who is backed by Meloni’s Brothers of Italy and is known for his controversial tweets and support of Vladimir Putin,...
At Rai, where politics have always held sway, managing director Carlo Fuortes resigned earlier this month saying he was unwilling to “agree to changes” in the broadcaster’s content and programming “that I do not consider to be in Rai’s best interests,” he underlined.
Fuortes has now been replaced by Roberto Sergio, a veteran Rai executive who is considered basically bi-partisan. The pubcaster’s new general director, instead, is former Rai board member Giampaolo Rossi, who is backed by Meloni’s Brothers of Italy and is known for his controversial tweets and support of Vladimir Putin,...
- 5/30/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
It’s 7:30 a.m. on a sunny May morning in Rome on a side street outside the studios of Italian state broadcaster Rai. A live audience standing behind metal fencing is watching a lithe group of nuns, one with a mustache, who slowly creep out from a row of white closet doors.
They start dancing, hugging and pirouetting to a ballad belted out by a young Tuscan pop singer. Then the dancers, dressed in Catholic sisters garb, begin playing basketball.
Welcome to “Viva Rai 2!,” Italy’s answer to America’s morning shows. It’s a local ratings phenomenon conceived and conducted by volcanic Sicilian megastar Rosario Fiorello, who is breathing new life into Italian television at a time when doomsayers are sounding the death knell of public TV around the world.
Every morning on weekdays, when “Viva Rai 2!” airs on the pubcaster’s Rai 2 station, ratings soar...
They start dancing, hugging and pirouetting to a ballad belted out by a young Tuscan pop singer. Then the dancers, dressed in Catholic sisters garb, begin playing basketball.
Welcome to “Viva Rai 2!,” Italy’s answer to America’s morning shows. It’s a local ratings phenomenon conceived and conducted by volcanic Sicilian megastar Rosario Fiorello, who is breathing new life into Italian television at a time when doomsayers are sounding the death knell of public TV around the world.
Every morning on weekdays, when “Viva Rai 2!” airs on the pubcaster’s Rai 2 station, ratings soar...
- 5/11/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The camera pans upwards. We see a balcony and a sliver of a window. A voice calls “Action!” Luca Marinelli emerges, dressed as Benito Mussolini. He looks down on the street below. Suddenly, he turns to the camera and speaks directly to the audience, the image of charm and seduction: “I’ve always loved dogs,” he quips.
This scene sums up the essence of M. Son of the Century, the new eight-episode limited series, directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Darkest Hour) and produced by Sky Studios and Lorenzo Mieli’s Fremantle-owned The Apartment Pictures, in collaboration with Pathé and Small Forward. The series may be, as Nils Hartmann, executive vp of Sky Studios Italy and Germany says, repeatedly, the “largest and most ambitious” project the Comcast-owned studio is working on, but what stands out is the show’s unique tone and rhythm. The story of the rise of...
This scene sums up the essence of M. Son of the Century, the new eight-episode limited series, directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Darkest Hour) and produced by Sky Studios and Lorenzo Mieli’s Fremantle-owned The Apartment Pictures, in collaboration with Pathé and Small Forward. The series may be, as Nils Hartmann, executive vp of Sky Studios Italy and Germany says, repeatedly, the “largest and most ambitious” project the Comcast-owned studio is working on, but what stands out is the show’s unique tone and rhythm. The story of the rise of...
- 4/17/2023
- by Gianmaria Tammaro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Media mogul and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was admitted to intensive care at a hospital in Milan on Wednesday and is in serious but stable condition according to local media.
Corriere Della Sera reported the 86-year-old Forza Italia founder is being treated at the San Raffaele Hospital for pneumonia stemming from a form of leukemia; this has not yet been publicly confirmed by doctors, but Reuters also reported the diagnosis citing a source. No medical bulletins were issued yesterday and it remains unclear if there will be any today. According to Forza Italia leader Paolo Barelli, Berlusconi spent “a quiet night” on Wednesday.
Berlusconi had been at San Raffaele for a few days undergoing routine tests last week. In a Facebook post after being discharged, he said he had “already returned to work on the main issues of the days, ready and determined to commit myself, as I always have,...
Corriere Della Sera reported the 86-year-old Forza Italia founder is being treated at the San Raffaele Hospital for pneumonia stemming from a form of leukemia; this has not yet been publicly confirmed by doctors, but Reuters also reported the diagnosis citing a source. No medical bulletins were issued yesterday and it remains unclear if there will be any today. According to Forza Italia leader Paolo Barelli, Berlusconi spent “a quiet night” on Wednesday.
Berlusconi had been at San Raffaele for a few days undergoing routine tests last week. In a Facebook post after being discharged, he said he had “already returned to work on the main issues of the days, ready and determined to commit myself, as I always have,...
- 4/6/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Author and anti-Mafia activist Roberto Saviano, whose Neapolitan mob exposé “Gomorrah” is the basis for the popular HBO Max series of the same title, stood his second trial in three months on Wednesday on charges of defaming a member of Italy’s current right-wing government.
Saviano first appeared in court in November for a defamation lawsuit brought by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for calling her a “bastard” while blasting her stance on migrants. This time, he is facing a libel suit from League leader and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini for also calling him a “bastard” while discussing migrants on a Rai TV talk show in December 2020.
On Rai talk show “Piazzapulita,” Saviano blasted Meloni and Salvini, who were then members of the opposition, for their attempts to block migrant rescue boats. Meloni said on the show that Rome should “repatriate migrants and sink the boats that rescued them.”
Saviano...
Saviano first appeared in court in November for a defamation lawsuit brought by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for calling her a “bastard” while blasting her stance on migrants. This time, he is facing a libel suit from League leader and Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini for also calling him a “bastard” while discussing migrants on a Rai TV talk show in December 2020.
On Rai talk show “Piazzapulita,” Saviano blasted Meloni and Salvini, who were then members of the opposition, for their attempts to block migrant rescue boats. Meloni said on the show that Rome should “repatriate migrants and sink the boats that rescued them.”
Saviano...
- 2/1/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Italian big-screen diva Gina Lollobrigida was due to be laid to rest in her native hilltop town of Subiaco, after a televised funeral ceremony on Thursday at the Church of the Artists in nearby Rome.
The actress’s only son Milko Skofic, grandson Dimitri and Spanish ex-husband Javier Rigau were among those in attendance alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Cultural Under-Secretary Vittorio Sgarbi as well as film and entertainment world figures Mara Venier, Milly Carlucci, Adriano Aragozzini, Daniel McVicar, Giulio Base and Barbara Bouchet.
The actress’s long-time personal assistant Andrea Piazzolla, who was caught up in a legal battle with Skofic at the time of Lollobrigida’s battle over control of her finances, was also present with his parents.
The burial comes just five days after Lollobrigida’s death on January 16 at the age of 95 years old. Her coffin has been laying in state at the Campidoglio in Rome since then.
The actress’s only son Milko Skofic, grandson Dimitri and Spanish ex-husband Javier Rigau were among those in attendance alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Cultural Under-Secretary Vittorio Sgarbi as well as film and entertainment world figures Mara Venier, Milly Carlucci, Adriano Aragozzini, Daniel McVicar, Giulio Base and Barbara Bouchet.
The actress’s long-time personal assistant Andrea Piazzolla, who was caught up in a legal battle with Skofic at the time of Lollobrigida’s battle over control of her finances, was also present with his parents.
The burial comes just five days after Lollobrigida’s death on January 16 at the age of 95 years old. Her coffin has been laying in state at the Campidoglio in Rome since then.
- 1/19/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Berlin, Dec 29 (Ians) Member states of the European Union are trying to find a joint stance on how to treat travellers entering the borderless Schengen area from China, after Italy urged the rest of the economic bloc to bring back anti-Covid checks following Beijings rapid rollback of its previously stringent hygiene restrictions, according to a media report.
Italy on Wednesday brought back mandatory coronavirus tests for all airline travellers arriving from China, following reports of rising infection rates in the world’s most populous country, The Guardian reported.
More than 50 per cent of people screened upon arrival at Milan’s Malpensa airport in recent days tested positive for the virus, prompting the Lombardy region to require a mandatory negative test result before entry from China, the report said.
However, on Thursday, Italy’s far-right premier, Giorgia Meloni, said no new concerning Covid-19 mutations had been found among those entering the country so far,...
Italy on Wednesday brought back mandatory coronavirus tests for all airline travellers arriving from China, following reports of rising infection rates in the world’s most populous country, The Guardian reported.
More than 50 per cent of people screened upon arrival at Milan’s Malpensa airport in recent days tested positive for the virus, prompting the Lombardy region to require a mandatory negative test result before entry from China, the report said.
However, on Thursday, Italy’s far-right premier, Giorgia Meloni, said no new concerning Covid-19 mutations had been found among those entering the country so far,...
- 12/29/2022
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Italy in 2022 made several landmark strides in the international entertainment arena: an Italian play, Stefano Massini’s “The Lehman Trilogy,” garnered five Tony Awards, a prize the country had never conquered; Roman rock band Måneskin scored a Grammy nomination; and even as domestic box office plunged this year, Italian film exports mushroomed.
Massini’s five-hour play, which follows the three Lehman brothers from their arrival from Germany in New York in 1844 up to the 2008 bankruptcy of their global financial services company, prompted Sam Mendes to stage an English-language adaptation, which ultimately triumphed at the Tonys. Now a high-end TV series based on his play is being developed by producers Domenico Procacci and Lorenzo Mieli with Florian Zeller attached to direct. Procacci, speaking to Variety, praised Massini for managing “to tell so effectively a story that doesn’t have any Italian elements, since most of it takes place in the U.
Massini’s five-hour play, which follows the three Lehman brothers from their arrival from Germany in New York in 1844 up to the 2008 bankruptcy of their global financial services company, prompted Sam Mendes to stage an English-language adaptation, which ultimately triumphed at the Tonys. Now a high-end TV series based on his play is being developed by producers Domenico Procacci and Lorenzo Mieli with Florian Zeller attached to direct. Procacci, speaking to Variety, praised Massini for managing “to tell so effectively a story that doesn’t have any Italian elements, since most of it takes place in the U.
- 12/21/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Update: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that a preliminary investigation indicated that a missile that struck Poland was likely from Ukrainian air defense.
“We have no indication that this was a result of a deliberate attack, and we have no indication that Russia is preparing offensive military action against NATO,” Stoltenberg said.
He said that Russia still bears responsibility given that it has been engaged in a barrage of attacks on Russian cities.
Previously, Tuesday, 5:45 Pm Pt President Joe Biden told reporters that it was “unlikely” that a missile that struck Poland was fired from Russia.
“We are going to figure out exactly what happened,” he said.
Previously, 5:15 Pm Pt: President Joe Biden is holding an emergency meeting with world leaders in Bali following the missile hit that entered Poland, killing two people.
Networks covered a brief moment of Biden gathered with other leaders, but he did not make remarks.
“We have no indication that this was a result of a deliberate attack, and we have no indication that Russia is preparing offensive military action against NATO,” Stoltenberg said.
He said that Russia still bears responsibility given that it has been engaged in a barrage of attacks on Russian cities.
Previously, Tuesday, 5:45 Pm Pt President Joe Biden told reporters that it was “unlikely” that a missile that struck Poland was fired from Russia.
“We are going to figure out exactly what happened,” he said.
Previously, 5:15 Pm Pt: President Joe Biden is holding an emergency meeting with world leaders in Bali following the missile hit that entered Poland, killing two people.
Networks covered a brief moment of Biden gathered with other leaders, but he did not make remarks.
- 11/16/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Author and activist Roberto Saviano, whose Neapolitan mob exposé “Gomorrah” is the basis for the popular HBO Max series of the same title, was unrepentant on Tuesday during the first hearing in a defamation lawsuit being brought against him by Italy’s current right-wing prime minister Giorgia Meloni for calling her “a bastard” while blasting her stance on migrants.
“I think it’s odd that a writer is tried for his words, however harsh they may be, while defenseless individuals continue to suffer atrocious violence and constant lies,” Saviano told reporters as he exited the Rome court, where the libel trial was adjourned until Dec. 12.
Meloni, who at the time was leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy, then an opposition party, sued Saviano shortly after a December 2020 TV interview on the Rai talk show “Piazzapulita,” in which he blasted her and fellow right-wing leader Matteo Salvini for their attempts to block migrant rescue boats.
“I think it’s odd that a writer is tried for his words, however harsh they may be, while defenseless individuals continue to suffer atrocious violence and constant lies,” Saviano told reporters as he exited the Rome court, where the libel trial was adjourned until Dec. 12.
Meloni, who at the time was leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy, then an opposition party, sued Saviano shortly after a December 2020 TV interview on the Rai talk show “Piazzapulita,” in which he blasted her and fellow right-wing leader Matteo Salvini for their attempts to block migrant rescue boats.
- 11/15/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
The lasting image of this year’s Lucca Comics and Games convention is a shot of director Tim Burton, waving to a seemingly unending crowd from a balcony in the historic center of this medieval Tuscany town.
That one shot represents how Lucca has evolved from a tiny, hyper-localized convention for comic and game fans into one of the most important pop culture events on the international calendar.
Europe’s largest comics festival (and the world’s number two, larger than San Diego’s Comic-Con and just behind Japan’s Comiket), Lucca Comics and Games has become a hub for the film, TV and games industries, which arrived in force at Lucca 2022, the first proper in-person event since 2019 (last year’s Lucca was in-person but with strict limits on capacity, due to Covid). All of them were pitching to the same 320,000 fans crammed into this historic location,...
The lasting image of this year’s Lucca Comics and Games convention is a shot of director Tim Burton, waving to a seemingly unending crowd from a balcony in the historic center of this medieval Tuscany town.
That one shot represents how Lucca has evolved from a tiny, hyper-localized convention for comic and game fans into one of the most important pop culture events on the international calendar.
Europe’s largest comics festival (and the world’s number two, larger than San Diego’s Comic-Con and just behind Japan’s Comiket), Lucca Comics and Games has become a hub for the film, TV and games industries, which arrived in force at Lucca 2022, the first proper in-person event since 2019 (last year’s Lucca was in-person but with strict limits on capacity, due to Covid). All of them were pitching to the same 320,000 fans crammed into this historic location,...
- 11/15/2022
- by Gianmaria Tammaro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Roberto Saviano, the Italian writer and journalist behind the Gomorrah film and series, will go to court this week charged with criminal defamation by Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s new far-right Prime Minister.
The charges relate to an incident that took place before Meloni was elected. Saviano, speaking on Italian current affairs show Piazzapulita in December 2020, called Meloni, leader of the neofascist Brother of Italy party, a “bastard” for her anti-immigrant policies.
The context was the death of a six-month-old baby from Guinea who drowned in the Mediterranean en route to Italy. The child was among six people who perished that night in a year an estimated 1,881 migrants died trying to cross the Mediterranean along various routes, according to figures from the refugee agency Unhcr. In the months leading up to this event, Meloni, then leader of the opposition, attacked rescue ships that were...
Roberto Saviano, the Italian writer and journalist behind the Gomorrah film and series, will go to court this week charged with criminal defamation by Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s new far-right Prime Minister.
The charges relate to an incident that took place before Meloni was elected. Saviano, speaking on Italian current affairs show Piazzapulita in December 2020, called Meloni, leader of the neofascist Brother of Italy party, a “bastard” for her anti-immigrant policies.
The context was the death of a six-month-old baby from Guinea who drowned in the Mediterranean en route to Italy. The child was among six people who perished that night in a year an estimated 1,881 migrants died trying to cross the Mediterranean along various routes, according to figures from the refugee agency Unhcr. In the months leading up to this event, Meloni, then leader of the opposition, attacked rescue ships that were...
- 11/14/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Italian writer, journalist and political commentator Roberto Saviano is due to head to court in Rome on Tuesday (November 15) for the first hearing in a defamation trial brought against him by Italy’s newly installed, right-wing prime minister Giorgia Meloni.
The case is related to an incident that took place prior to Meloni taking the reins of power in Italy in October.
Meloni is suing Saviano over comments he made on the current affairs show Piazza Pulita in December 2020, during a discussion about the phenomenon of asylum seekers arriving on Italian shores via small boats or charity ships that rescue them from the sea, in which he referred to her as a “bastard” for her hard-line, anti-immigrant stance.
The judge charged with a preliminary investigation into the case ruled that the “epithet bastard” had gone “beyond the rights of political criticism” and gave the green light for the trial.
The...
The case is related to an incident that took place prior to Meloni taking the reins of power in Italy in October.
Meloni is suing Saviano over comments he made on the current affairs show Piazza Pulita in December 2020, during a discussion about the phenomenon of asylum seekers arriving on Italian shores via small boats or charity ships that rescue them from the sea, in which he referred to her as a “bastard” for her hard-line, anti-immigrant stance.
The judge charged with a preliminary investigation into the case ruled that the “epithet bastard” had gone “beyond the rights of political criticism” and gave the green light for the trial.
The...
- 11/14/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Citing 19th Century patriotic poetry and Mussolini-era writers and philosophers, the freshly appointed culture minister of Italy’s new right-wing government has promised a new era for the country’s cultural sector and revealed he wants to reform state funding for the performances arts.
Gennaro Sangiuliano is among 24 ministers in the new government of Giorgia Meloni, who was sworn in as Italian prime minister on Sunday, three-and-a-half weeks after her far-right Brothers of Italy party (Fratelli d’Italia) swept to victory in general elections.
Sangiuliano arrives from state broadcaster Rai, where he worked since 2003, rising through the ranks to become editor-in-chief of news programming at Italian state channel Rai 2 in 2018.
He replaces Dario Franceschini of the centre-left Democratic Party, who was Italy’s longest-serving minister of culture, and the TV and film worlds are now waiting to see what this means for the sectors.
The new minister told Rome...
Gennaro Sangiuliano is among 24 ministers in the new government of Giorgia Meloni, who was sworn in as Italian prime minister on Sunday, three-and-a-half weeks after her far-right Brothers of Italy party (Fratelli d’Italia) swept to victory in general elections.
Sangiuliano arrives from state broadcaster Rai, where he worked since 2003, rising through the ranks to become editor-in-chief of news programming at Italian state channel Rai 2 in 2018.
He replaces Dario Franceschini of the centre-left Democratic Party, who was Italy’s longest-serving minister of culture, and the TV and film worlds are now waiting to see what this means for the sectors.
The new minister told Rome...
- 10/25/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
On Monday’s episode of his Fox News show, Tucker Carlson appeared to be a huge fan of newly elected Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a neo-fascist who was elected as part of a group called the “centre-right coalition” Sunday.
In a twisty commentary on Monday, Carlson asserted that Meloni isn’t actually a fascist because she is religious, and then said that Republican leaders in Congress pale in comparison to Meloni and the movement she leads.
First, in a clip you can see above, Carlson contrasted the public policy pitches Republicans are making ahead of the 2022 election to Meloni’s. Tucker isn’t a fan of the Republican pitch.
Also Read:
Relatives of Jeffrey Dahmer Victim Call Ryan Murphy Netflix Series ‘Retraumatizing’
“House Republicans just spelled out what they’re running on, it’s a document called the ‘Commitment to America.’ It’s fine. Probably not much in it...
In a twisty commentary on Monday, Carlson asserted that Meloni isn’t actually a fascist because she is religious, and then said that Republican leaders in Congress pale in comparison to Meloni and the movement she leads.
First, in a clip you can see above, Carlson contrasted the public policy pitches Republicans are making ahead of the 2022 election to Meloni’s. Tucker isn’t a fan of the Republican pitch.
Also Read:
Relatives of Jeffrey Dahmer Victim Call Ryan Murphy Netflix Series ‘Retraumatizing’
“House Republicans just spelled out what they’re running on, it’s a document called the ‘Commitment to America.’ It’s fine. Probably not much in it...
- 9/27/2022
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Across the right-wing American landscape, pundits, politicians and influencers are extremely pleased by the results of Sunday’s elections in Italy. That’s because the country has thrown substantial support behind the Brothers of Italy, a party with roots in post-World War II fascism, led by Giorgia Meloni, who is poised to become the first woman prime minister in the nation’s history.
Much of the adulation was reserved for Meloni herself, a forceful 45-year-old who likes to rail against immigration, abortion, same-sex marriage, and the European Union. One clip...
Much of the adulation was reserved for Meloni herself, a forceful 45-year-old who likes to rail against immigration, abortion, same-sex marriage, and the European Union. One clip...
- 9/26/2022
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
Click here to read the full article.
Italy, and all of Europe, awoke Monday to a new political reality after far-right politician Giorgia Meloni claimed victory in Italy’s snap elections. With nearly all the results in, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, a group with neofascist origins, secured the biggest share of votes.
Her far-right coalition, which includes the League, headed by Matteo Salvini, and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party, have a clear majority and should be able to form a new government. Such a coalition of nationalist and far-right parties would represent Italy’s most rightwing government since the end of Benito Mussolini’s reign in 1945. Meloni has made a name for herself with starkly conservative stances, on abortion, immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.
Given the seismic political shift, it was perhaps surprising to see few voices among Italy’s traditionally leftist entertainment industry raised in protest. Only...
Italy, and all of Europe, awoke Monday to a new political reality after far-right politician Giorgia Meloni claimed victory in Italy’s snap elections. With nearly all the results in, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, a group with neofascist origins, secured the biggest share of votes.
Her far-right coalition, which includes the League, headed by Matteo Salvini, and Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party, have a clear majority and should be able to form a new government. Such a coalition of nationalist and far-right parties would represent Italy’s most rightwing government since the end of Benito Mussolini’s reign in 1945. Meloni has made a name for herself with starkly conservative stances, on abortion, immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.
Given the seismic political shift, it was perhaps surprising to see few voices among Italy’s traditionally leftist entertainment industry raised in protest. Only...
- 9/26/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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