Antonini: Five contemporary Italian films are presented in Kosovo for the first time
For the first time in Kosovo, five contemporary Italian films are being presented, which have been widely praised by critics and have won important awards.
On the occasion of the eighth edition of “Fare Cinema” – the international week dedicated to the promotion of cinema and the Italian film industry, organized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) – the Embassy of Italy in Pristina has brought the Italian Screens program to Kosovo, with the aim of promoting the best films of contemporary Italian cinema.
The program – which demonstrates the Embassy’s commitment to further deepening cultural ties between Italy and Kosovo – brings together a series of film screenings, free and open to the public, at the Oda Theater in Pristina and at DokuKino in Prizren. For the first time in Kosovo, five contemporary Italian films, which have been widely acclaimed by critics and have won important awards, will be presented.
The movie “Vermiglio” was shown tonight. THAT It is a powerful narrative that combines memory and identity, guiding us through the wrinkles of History and the wounds of the past.
On this occasion, the Italian Ambassador to Pristina, Maurizio Antonini, expressed his satisfaction that they are presenting a program that values the talent of contemporary Italian cinema, giving special space to young voices and the female perspective.
He said that the presence of two female directors, Delpero and Vicario, as well as the central role of the protagonists in the film Diamond, is no coincidence – it is a way to highlight the vitality and depth of the female gaze in the narrative of our society.
“Artistic films by giants like Federico Fellini, Pierpaolo Pasolini and Bernardo Bertolucci, who completely read the language of modern cinema by standing on the shoulders of extraordinary directors like Roberto Rossellini, Luchino Visconti and Michelangelo Antonioni. This is to say that there is a continuity in Italian cinema and we should be proud of this extraordinary heritage that is second to none. I am sure that Prime Minister Kurti agrees with this assessment. The film we will watch today, Vermilion by Mauro De Peron, which is expected to represent Italy at the 25th Oscars in the Best International Film category, has already won the Silver Lion, the direct jury prize at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, and has received seven David DiDonatello awards, including Best Film, Direction, Screenplay and Cinematography,” he said.
Antonini said that two of the films in this program are directed by women, Del Pelo and DiGuardia, which, according to him, is no coincidence.
“Two of the films in this program are directed by women, Del Pelo and DiGuardia. It is no coincidence. It is a deliberate choice to celebrate the vibrancy and depth of the female gaze in the portrayal of our society. This sends a strong message in favor of greater inclusion, diversity and richness of perspectives in the Italian cinematic landscape, and beyond. Although Kosovo has the youngest cinema industry in Europe, whose growth has been fueled also by the commitment of various festival organizers in the country, female directors stand out in the dynamic scene of Kosovar themes. I think, for example, of Kaltrina Krasniqi, Blerta Basholli and Antoneta Kastrati. Let this event also be a moment to celebrate female talent in cinematography and to reaffirm that the future of our audiovisual sector will be more than rich – it will be equal, inclusive, plural and open to intercultural dialogue”, he said.
He hopes that this screening will present an opportunity for reflection, connection, and renewal of cinema.
The film “Vermiglio” by Maura Delpero (2024) which was screened tonight is selected to represent Italy at the 2025 Oscars in the “Best International Film” category. Winner of the Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize at the 2024 Venice Film Festival and 7 David di Donatello awards, including Best Film, Direction, Screenplay and Cinematography.
“Vermiglio” is a powerful narrative that combines memory and identity, guiding us through the wrinkles of History and the wounds of the past.
/Kosovapress/