In Messina you can make movies. Artists, producers and institutions discussed this point, protagonists of the Round Table “Messina film set: places, history and development prospects”, hosted in the elegant spaces of the Marina del Nettuno Yachting Club. The event, strongly supported by CIRS, highlighted the second day of the Adolfo Celi Award, which tonight, at 8 pm, will end with the eagerly awaited Gala evening at the Cicciò Arena. On stage, among others, will be the actors of the successful TV series “A ladies’ paradise” Roberto Farnesi, Gloria Radulescu and Emanuel Caserio with the producer Giannandrea Pecorelli and the actress Margherita Aresti from the TV series “A professor”.
The debate, moderated by Rai journalist Antonella Gurrieri, was opened by a greeting from Cirs president Maria Celeste Celi who underlined how important it is to enhance the artistic and historical heritage of the city, each with its own role. Then the surprise announcement from the well-known director and screenwriter Stefano Reali: “I want to shoot a film in Messina”. The topic the work will deal with is of absolute interest. “My desire – explained Reali – is to tell the story of the meeting at the Maggiore hospital in Messina between Miguel De Cervantes and John Florio. Both were very young, they didn’t know the goals they would reach a few years later. I want to underline the importance that Messina had at the time, a lively and active city from an economic, cultural and commercial point of view. I have already written a historical novel and a theater piece on the subject which I also brought to Sicily. I will come back here after the happy experience of filming Like a dolphina series shot on the banks of the Strait with Raoul Bova as the protagonist”.
The discussion revealed an interesting exchange of ideas between professionals and institutions. Together with the actors and producers there was also the political part. At the table, the mayor Federico Basile, the senator Barbara Floridia and the regional councilor for Tourism, Sport and Entertainment Elvira Amata. For them it was natural to accept the invitation of Giannandrea Pecorelli, producer of successful films and TV series such as Night before exams e A ladies’ paradiseto delocalize cinema. “In the 80s and 90s, filming was only done in Rome, now every city can have its own space and be valued. The opportunities are endless, starting with job opportunities”. On the same wavelength is Amy Pollicino, a well-regarded writer and Rai producer from Messina who added: “First, cinema must be studied and those who want to undertake this career must have the opportunity to train in Sicily starting from school”.
The second part of the round table focused on the present of cinema and how the new generations are involved. The point of view of emerging actors such as Amedeo Gullà and Margherita Aresti is fundamental, invited to speak together with Alexandra and Leonardo Celi, the director and artistic director of the event Christian Bisceglia, the director and screenwriter Daniele Vicari and the psychotherapist Mauro Cavarra.
This year too, the Celi Award launches a message of solidarity and inclusion involving movie stars and leading figures from the local and national cultural scene. All on the front line to fight discrimination and violence against women, and it is no coincidence that all proceeds from the event will be donated to projects for the social and work inclusion of the women guests of Cirs. At the center, the memory of the unforgettable actor from Messina Adolfo Celi, an ideal figure to strengthen that “Messina-ness” also appreciated in the artistic field.
The director Jacopo Gassmann, the stylist and creative director of “Cavalli” Fausto Puglisi, the artistic director of the Messina Film Festival Ninni Panzera, the creator of Taobuk Antonella Ferrara, the cartoonist Lelio Bonaccorso and the Accademia il Sistina of Messina, directed by Massimo Romeo Piparo with representatives Paride Acacia and Sarah Lanza.
