David di Donatello, the protest of the “technical” categories awarded under the stairs: “A mortifying treatment towards us”

Two days after the awards ceremony, the controversies continue over the Donatello’s Davidfor the management of the awards ceremony for the so-called ‘technical’ categories, i.e.: set designers, interior designers, costume designers, cinematographers, editors, sound technicians, visual effects, make-up artists and hairdressers.

The protest by costume designer Sergio Ballo

He was the first to protest, on live TV Sergio Ballocostume designer together with Daria CalvelliFor Kidnappedthe film by Marco Bellocchio. Unlike the other awards, the one for the best costumes was in fact awarded on a scale. A choice that had annoyed the winner quite a bit. After rejoicing, Ballo threw his coat on the ground and then spoke, going well beyond the 45 seconds allowed. “We’ll cut this statuette in two,” he joked. “How cheap, you could have given us two since there are two of us. I’m very angry. You put us here on the stairs like Wanda Osiris, while we would have preferred to share the room with colleagues. Unfortunately”, she adds, “our work – costume designers and set designers – is seen as the work of window dressers and maids”.

After the intervention, the host’s reply also arrived Carlo Conti: “Having brought some categories into some special spaces seemed like an enrichment, not a diminutio”, he said. But, as mentioned, the controversy has not died down.

The joint note

“The categories represented by our trade associations say they regret the day after the awards ceremony of the 69th edition of the Donatello’s David. What should have been, as always, a celebration for the entire world of cinema, broadcast live on Rai 1 from the glorious Theater 5 of Cinecittàwas in fact compromised by the unfortunate decision to reward the so-called ‘technical’ categories in Theater 14 It is in the Theater 18. We have always felt supported and valued byAcademy of Italian Cinemacareful as it was to meet the specificities of our professions, among the most awarded at an international level also thanks to the constant commitment made by the Davids to make our skills known in Italy and abroad”. Thus in a joint note the presidents of the associations of set designers, interior designers, costume designers, cinematographers, editors, sound technicians, visual effects, make-up artists and hairdressers.

“A mortifying choice”

“For this reason – they continue – it was mortifying to see professionals behind the scenes relegated to unadorned spaces, without the warmth of applause and the public, unable to celebrate together with the rest of the crews the successes of films that represented the flower of the highlight of last year’s Italian film production, bringing audiences back to theaters, enthralling critics and exciting spectators.”

“A substantial contribution from us”

“This year – continues the press release – with so few lights on on the sets, with projects on hold for months and a crisis in the sector that promises to be tragically epochal, celebrating everyone together would have been a small but necessary consolation for the many who are experiencing moments of discouragement and difficulty these days. It was disheartening that, regardless of the organisation’s intentions, the television performance meant that the awards of statuettes to set designers, decorators, costume designers, make-up and hairdressers, cinematographers, editors, VFX and sound supervisors, have been separated from those of actors and actresses, directors and producers, screenwriters, musicians and composers, as if there wasn’t a substantial contribution from each of us to the images that flow on the big screen”.

The appeal: “It won’t happen again”

“The regret – conclude the presidents of the associations – becomes even more bitter in light of those new generations, so important also for the Academy of Italian Cinema: young people who enthusiastically approach these professions of ours, considered an excellence at the worldwide, and which they have instead seen so debased during such an important moment for the entire sector. We can therefore only appeal that this method will not be followed in the years to come”.