Apr. 11 – “I never expected this reception, it’s very exciting! I am here to present the NICE Festival, which promotes new Italian cinema talents, and the film ‘The Great Beauty.’ It won an Oscar, proving to everyone that beauty will save the world … or at least Italy!” says Anita Kravos (who plays Talia Concept in “The Great Beauty” by Paolo Sorrentino), during the presentation of the 17th edition of NICE Russia, the festival organized by the New Italian Cinema Events in Moscow until April 15 (at Illusion Cinema) and in St Petersburg from tomorrow until April 18 (at Rodina Cinema Center). Multicultural and bilingual since birth, Anita is fluent in seven languages, including Russian. “I’m Italian but I feel European – she said during the press conference at Itar Tass – and this makes me feel young.” She attended the Academy of Dramatic Art in Moscow “because it’s the best in the world. My relationship with Russian art is very strong, so strong I’m later auditioning for a Russian production that will run in Italy! I would like to thank the NICE organizers, the institutions and the two sponsors, Savio Firmino and Braccialini, who believe in Italian cinema and young talents.” Anita was accompanied by NICE director Viviana del Bianco, Naum Kleiman (director of the Kino Museum), First Counselor of the Italian Embassy and Head of the Russia-Italy Tourism Year, Samuela Isopi, and Adriano dell’Asta, Director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Moscow. Isopi and Dell’Asta stressed the importance of supporting initiatives that promote Italian cinema abroad, a unique vehicle for bringing Italy to Russia, to give Russians a window on Italy and Made in Italy. And Maurizio Forte agrees, the director of ICE Russia attended the conference to present the Bozzetto Golden Savio Firmino award. “Let me say this: cinema is art but not only art. It’s a product and an excellent medium for the promotion of a country and its products. When a film is art, ti remains forever in the collective imagination of a people, and maybe the world. For this reason, Savio Firmino, a brand leader in interior design, has sponsored for many years emerging Italian cinema in Russia via NICE. And this is why every year it hands out Bozzetto D’Oro Savio Firmino to the best scene designer or decorator.” “I can see in the public some familiar faces, who have been with us for almost 20 years. Our adventure began with Naum Kleiman two decades ago, but since then things changed in Russia. It’s been very interesting and fascinating to see these transformations come about. One thing has remained the same: the interest and attention the Russian public gives Italian cinema, participating with enthusiasm to our Q & A discussions!” said del Bianco. “In the selection – concluded Kleiman – we try to represent the diversity and dynamism of Italian cinema, and authors we hope will one day find success like Sorrentino, who made his director debut with ‘L’Uomo in Più’ 15 years ago at NICE.”
