Mar. 3 – The first Italian to win the Oscar was Vittorio De Sica in 1947 with Shoeshine – one of the masterpieces of Italian neorealism. The last to win was Roberto Benigni in 1999 with “Life is Beautiful,” which took home three Oscars: Best Original Score, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor. Today, after 15 years, Italy wins once again the coveted statuette for Best Foreign Language Film with Paolo Sorrentino’s “The great beauty.” Ewan McGregor and Viola Davis were the ones to announce it to the world. “I wish to thank the Academy, all the actors, producers and sources for inspiration: Federico Fellini, Martin Scorsese and Maradona,” said the Neapolitan film director. On stage with Sorrentino, there were actor Tony Servillo and producer Nicola Giuliano: “Thanks to Naples and Rome – added Sorrentino – and to my great personal beauty: Daniela and our two children.” After the Golden Globes, the Efa and the Bafta, the recent Oscar brings Italy’s count to 13 Best Foreign Language Film Oscars. “The Great Beauty” was released in Italian cinemas on May 21 and presented at the 66th Cannes Film Festival, before heading to its triumph in Hollywood. “I was looking for the great beauty but I have not found it,” said Servillo in the shoes of Jep Gambardella, the Roman journalist that amazed and fascinated the Academy. The work of the Neapolitan director – starring Servillo, Carlo Verdone, Sabrina Ferilli, Isabella Ferrari, Iaia Forte and Carlo Buccirosso – is singular, “an incredible emotion, almost indescribable. It has been such an honor to be part of such an important and extraordinary project. Italian cinema holds once again a prominent place in international scene, a source of pride for all of us,” said Sabrina Ferilli who plays Ramona. “The strength of this film – she continues – is its chorus and the ability to speak a universal language. It is a unique yet recognizable style. Ramona, with her strengths, will and weaknesses, will always be part of me, my history and my path thanks to Sorrentino, Rome and the beauty of the country, and all those who have made this success possible; without forgetting those who came before us: Giuseppe Tornatore, Gabriele Salvatores and Roberto Benigni, Italian excellence in the world.”
