06/06/2003 - The 36th edition (21-29 June) showcases contemporary French films, plus tributes to John Sayles, José Luis Guerin and Zbigniew Rybczynski and Special Event: Ermanno Olmi

Eight Italian premieres in the main square of Pesaro, a wide-ranging retrospective about the new school of French filmmakers, tributes to John Sayles, José Luis Guerin, Zbigniew Rybczynski and a "Special Event" dedicated to masterfilmmaker, Ermanno Olmi. The 39th edition of the Mostra Internazionale del Nuovo Cinema will take place in Pesaro from 21-29 June and despite its age, and the drastic cuts in state funding (from Euros400,000 in 2002 to less than Euros250,000), Pesaro is still full of vim and vigour. With regards to the funding issue, the organisers said that "the culture ministry made an informal commitment to cover the costs of the Olmi retrospective. " It is not a coincidence that the first Italian Festival Antenna will also launch during Pesaro, charged with coordinating and representing the forty Italian film events that boarded this scheme.

Cinema in the Square
A showcase for mainstream films of various genres and from all over the world. This year's selection includes New Zealander Niki Caro's Whale Rider, Depuis qu'Otar est parti by France's Julie Bertucelli (screened in Critics' Week in Cannes), Josef (Jalla! Jalla!) Fares' crime spoof, Kopps, Djamshed Usmonov's The Angel on the Right, as well as Marc Recha's welcome return with Le mains vides. As is traditional, Pesaro filmgoers will assign their favourite title the Audience Award.

Contemporary French Cinema
Organised with Acid (Agence du Cinéma Indépendant pour sa Diffusion), this retrospective includes some twenty feature films by lesser-known young directors as well as a revisitation of the documentary genre - following the huge success generated by Etre et Avoir and experimental films which, according to the curator, Giovanni Spagnoletti, "are enjoying newfound popularity in France." A number of cooperatives and Parisian workshops like Etna, Collectif, Jeune Cinema and Light Cone are taking part.

Tributes and retrospectives dedicated to John Sayles, José Luis Guerin and Zbigniew Rybczynski
The entire body of work of John Sayles, one of the world's pre-eminent exponents of independent American cinema as well as one of Roger Corman's oldest co-workers, will screen in Pesaro.
Pesaro and the Cervantes Institute are also organising a tribute to one of Spain's most interesting contemporary filmmakers, José Luis Guerin and one of the world's leading film and video experimentors, Zbigniew Rybczynski, will be honoured with the screening of his entire body of work.

Special Event: Ermanno Olmi
Pesaro and the National Film School Foundation-National Film Archive will pay tribute to the unique vision of Italian master filmmaker, Ermanno Olmi with the screening of all his films and documentaries (in collaboration with Italian pubcaster, RAI): a journey through forty years of recent Italian history. This event includes a round-table discussion with Olmi and his favourite actors and co-workers, as well as a biography that analyses the distinctive features of his art. His latest film, Cantando dietro i paraventi will be finished in time for the next Venice Film Festival.

(Translated from Italian)