Sorrentino and Garrone in competition, special screening for Giordana

by Gabriele Barcaro

23/04/2008 - Industry rumours turned out to be true: two Italian films are in official competition at the Cannes Film Festival, both heirs of a political cinema that in the past has often won over the Croisette. First up is Il divo [trailer, film focus], the Giulio Andreotti biopic directed by Paolo Sorrentino, who after The Consequences of Love and The Family Friend consolidates his bond with the festival.

Matteo Garrone also returns, six years after participating in the Directors’ Fortnight with the hit The Embalmer. This year he will compete for the first time for the Palme d’Or with Gomorra [trailer, film focus], based on the bestseller by Roberto Saviano and featuring Toni Servillo (who also stars in Il divo).

A Special Screening has been reserved for another festival regular, Marco Tullio Giordana, who will present his latest, Sangue pazzo [trailer] (“Mad Blood”), with Luca Zingaretti and Monica Bellucci.

While the wait continues for the programmes of the other sections (one of which could include Marco Bechis’ new film), the Italian delegation is also represented by Giovanna Mezzogiorno, nominated for the Best Actress award for Wim Wenders’ The Palermo Shooting, and Sergio Castellitto, a member of the international jury presided over by Sean Penn.

(Translated from Italian)