Some of Italian Cinema’s most influencial names came out to support the third annual Italian Contemporary Film Festival tonight at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Following the Festival’s Opening Night Gala Presentation of The Best Offer, starring Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess and Donald Sutherland, the likes of Director Paolo Genovese, DJ Tony Monaco, Producer Andrea Iervolino, Actress Vittoria Puccini, Actor Nick Mancuso, Philanthropist/Socialite Lady Monika Bacardi (yes, THAT Bacardi) and American Star Stephen Baldwin graced the Red Carpet. The elite room of guests clinked champagne flutes, toasting the momentous occasion, enjoying a sumptuous catered Buffet Dinner, before dancing the night away to some soulful grooves.
It was announced this evening that Iervolino and Bacardi would be launching together AMBI Canada, the latter serving as Honourary President for the Canadian branch of the Film Distribution Company which focuses on backing high-budget international Films with Hollywood names.
Arriving fashionably late after several delays with his New York flight, anticipation grew rampant for a dapper Baldwin – in purple pinstripes over pink – and he did not disappoint, making the rounds with Guests, with an uncanny ability of remembering names. In fact, he came over to say “hi” to my friend Dawn and I, striking-up a conversation, nick-naming us “The Beauty (Dawn), The Bodyguard (me), The Business (his Buddy) and THE BALDWIN“! Charmer. He is scheduled early tomorrow to do the Morning Show circuit.
The Festival, which launched tonight, runs across Toronto, Vaughan, Hamilton, Montreal and Quebec City through June 20, 2014. Danny Glover, in town filming currently, also will lend his vote of confidence, making an appearance in support of AIC and AMBI Canada‘s 2047 Sights of Death (Baldwin also stars) which has its World Premiere tonight at the Festival.
For more details on the 2014 Italian Contemporary Film International, visit here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
The third edition of the Italian Contemporary Film Festival kicks-off this Thursday, June 12 and runs through Friday, June 20, 2014 throughout Toronto, Vaughan, Hamilton, Quebec City and Montreal! We had a chance to preview a couple of the Festival’s Marquee Titles including the Opening Night Gala, THE BEST OFFER which stars Geoffrey Rush, Donald Sutherland, Jim Sturgess and Sylvia Hoeks and BLAME FREUD, a Box Office Smash in Italy.
THE BEST OFFER
Geoffrey Rush delivers one of his best performances in recent years as a Master Auctioneer named Virgil who becomes obsessed with a mysterious Heiress, Claire (Hoeks), who hires him to auction off some high-end Art and Antiques. The two form an unlikely bond with the help of Robert (Sturgess), who is enlisted to take mechanical parts among Claire‘s inherited belongings, building an Automaton. All the while, Virgil’s Friend Billy (Sutherland) secretly helps him acquire a collection of Master Paintings, which could jeopardize everything he has worked for. Meticulously-stylized and undeniably suspenseful, the Film with its patient precision handling from Director Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) is a fittingly prestigious kick-off to the Festival.
Watch the Trailer:
BLAME FREUD
Originally titled Tutta colpa di Freud, this Romantic-Comedy from Paolo Genovese, offers a light-hearted Alternative at the Italian Contemporary Film Festival. The Tale about a Father’s wish for his three Daughters to find love with only the top percentile of Men, is a celebration of love in all its forms, giving validity to the statement that love just happens. One by one we see his Daughters veer off on their own tangents, while he too finds himself falling for someone he’d never have guessed he would! The right combination of charming, scandalous and stimulating to the eyes, make Blame Freud an obvious choice to see at the Festival!
See the Trailer below:
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com