The Italian Feminine Film Festival held recently at Cham Palace Cinema, and Ebla Cinema in Damascus, has been warmly welcomed by the Syrian audience.
“The Italian cinema has reached a high level of excellence in terms of acting, direction and production,” the Syrian minister of culture Najwa Kassab Hassan told the daily Syria Times.
She explained that the event is being held within the framework of boosting and consolidating cultural cooperation between Syria and Italy.
“Italian director Lina Wertmuller’s film Domenica has revealed her high sense of transparency and elevated human feelings. The content has been perfectly expressed and the lofty message clearly understood,” the Minister said.
Wertmuller attended the first screening of her film Domenica in Damascus and Aleppo.
“I love this country, the home of ancient civilizations and spectacular beauty. It is important to hold the event in Syria, which harbors the culture of all ancient cultures. I hope I have the opportunity to shoot a film in Damascus, because of its beauty, people and atmosphere, particularly its old quarters.” said Wertmuller.
Italian Ambassador Laura Mirachian told the daily, “the famous Italian film director Wertmuller has a long cinematic career extending over 40 years. The director presents significant shots of our daily life in very simple language. In addition she was nominated for Oscar Awards several times. This is her first time in Syria, for which she has developed a great attraction and admiration. She strongly believes that Syria is a very beautiful country, deeply rooted in civilization, history and culture.”
The head of the Italian Cultural Institute, Fiorella Festa Farina, said, “despite her heavy engagement in cinema, the famous filmmaker Wertmuller decided to cancel all her appointments so she could come to Syria and attend the opening ceremonies.”
The event included six films by six Italian feminine directors, who are young but enjoy wide reputation in Europe.
The head of the General Cinema Organization, Mohammad al Ahmad, said that the convening of the film festival in Syria is held in continuation of the GCO’s efforts to exchange cinematic events with Arab and European countries. The participating films reflect the Italian daily lifestyle and show the contemporary vision of the Italian cinematic approach – Albawaba.com
