22/05/2003 - Applause for Edoardo Gabbriellini’s feature debut. His weird protagonist lives by the sea in Tuscany and dreams of going to AMerica

After starring in one of Paolo Virzì’s biggest-ever successes and also in the video that accompanied the song that all of Italy was humming in 2001, “Dammi tre parole”, Edoardo Gabbriellini directed himself in B.B. e il Cormorano.
The film was invited to close Critics’ Week and seems set for international succes. Produced by Fandango in partnership with Medusa Film, BB e il Cormorano is about a plumber called Mario who dreams of going to America and becoming a successful rock music talent scout. The story is a weird one and is set in a former summer colony for children dating back to the Fascist era, that is about to be transformed into a hotel for foreign tourists. The characters all border on the surreal.
During today’s screening for press and public, the film got a warm reception. The director was rewarded with unexpected (albeit hoped for) applause. The 27-year-old is still having a hard time coming to terms with having been invited to one of the world’s most important film events. “I am so excited and so scared. I only hope I don’t make a complete fool of myself!” said Gabbriellini a few days ago in an interview with an Italian publication.
A native of Livorno, Gabbriellini can relax, although he must wait to see how Italian audiences will react to this film after tomorrow’s release. Having come through the traditional French severity unscathed, Gabriellini will be reassured to know that Italian audiences are kind to newcomers. As of today, Italian cinema also has a new actress: Luce Caponegro (a.k.a. "Selen") in her first, and hopefully not last appearance in a “mainstream” role.

(Translated from Italian)