08/07/2002 - Italian film journalists decree Bellocchio´s Hour of Religion the outright winner with 4 `Nastri d´Argento´

Taormina´s unique Greek Amphitheatre was the setting for the 6 July gala presentation of one of Italian film´s most important awards, the Nastri d´Argento 2002 (Silver Ribbons). The film journalists association favourite, Marco Bellocchio´s Hour of Religion was the outright winner with four Silver Ribbons including best Italian film of the year, best actor, won by Sergio Castellitto (the film also won best sound recording and story).
Cristina Comencini `s Il più bel giorno della mia vita won the prestigious best screenplay and supporting actress award that was shared between the three female protagonists. Emanuele Crialese´s Respiro saw Valeria Golino win best actress with best producer going to Fandango´s Domenico Procacci. Although he failed to win best screenplay, Neapolitan filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino took home the best directorial debut Ribbon for Extra man. Fellow Neapolitan musician, Edoardo Bennato and Siena´s Gianna Nannini shared the best musical score accolade for respectively, The Prince and the Pirate and Momo. The evening´s very special guest was Spain´s Pedro Almodovar spoke about his future projects after winning this year´s best European film Ribbon for Habla con ella.

(Translated from Italian)