CAPRI, Italy, January 16, 2012 – On the heels of their Golden Globe® wins and Oscar® nominations, Capri, Hollywood director Pascal Vicedomini and the Capri in the World Institute, which produces the annual festival here, saluted the filmmakers and casts of “The Artist” and “My Week With Marilyn” and thanked them for being an integral part of the Fest’s 16th edition which wrapped on January 2nd.
In doing so, Vicedomini confirmed the delicate role of Capri, Hollywood as a key launching pad in the race for international film awards, including the Golden Globes and the Oscars®, and reaffirms the European leadership of the Blue Island as the ideal gathering point between Italian cinematic art and the American film industry. “The Artist,” directed by Michel Hazanavicius, was honored at the Fest as 2011 Film of the Year and the Best Actress nod went to its female lead, Bérénice Bejo. Past Capri, Hollywood award-winners Forest Whitaker and Melissa Leo went on to receive Oscars and Golden Globes for their stellar performances in “The Last King of Scotland” and “The Fighter,” respectively. Hazanavicius and Bejo, were on hand in Capri to receive their awards.
“The Artist” won three Golden Globes – for best picture (musical or comedy), Jean Dujardin for best actor (musical or comedy), and Ludovic Bource for best original score. It also garnered three additional Golden Globe nominations: Hazanavicius for best director and best screenplay and Bejo for best supporting actress. The film and its stellar cast have been receiving acclaim since its unspooling at the Cannes Film Festival where Dujardin was recognized as Best Actor.
“My Week With Marilyn” star Michelle Williams won a Golden Globe for the best actress (musical or comedy). The film, which had its Italian premiere here, was singled out by the festival’s honorary chair, Lina Wertmueller, who declared the film had the best overall cast of any film that screened at the festival.
“A real masterpiece inspired by the great movies of the past, ‘The Artist’ is a feature film where photography and expressiveness, together with an excellent music score combine to provide the audience with a high-quality piece of entertainment” said Italian producer Marina Cicogna, one of the founding members of the Istituto Capri nel mondo, the organization under whose auspices the 16th annual edition of Capri, Hollywood took place here from December 27th through January 2nd.
Produced by the French company La Petit Reine and distributed worldwide by The Weinstein Company, “The Artist,” is being released in Italy by Bim.
Capri, Hollywood – The Smart International Film Festival 2011 was directed by Pascal Vicedomini and produced by the Capri in the World Institute. Gino Paoli, the poet of Italian music, and the Italian-American actress Melissa Leo (Oscar winner in 2011 for “The Fighter”) chaired the 16th annual event. The Fest also featured a tribute to the legendary Grace Kelly, the late beloved Princess of Monaco and a tribute to the British choreographer and filmmaker Lindsay Kemp. With regard to socially relevant activities, Capri, Hollywood hosted the International symposium against discrimination and racism presented in association with UNICEF.
The Fest was presented with the support of the General Directorate of Cinema of the Ministry of Culture, the Campania Region and the Chamber of Commerce of Naples, in cooperation with Hogan, Alitalia and Planter’s. With the additional support of the City of Capri and the Municipality of Anacapri, the great celebration of International cinema included many film premieres, a retrospective of the most remarkable films of the past season as well as the ceremonies for the much sought-after Capri Awards that went to actors, writers and filmmakers.
Photo: Berenice Bejo and Michel Hazanavicius
