Once again the scent of Oscars at the Magna Graecia Film Festival in Catanzaro, which last night experienced an unforgettable evening thanks to the participation of Kevin Costner. The American star was welcomed by a packed and enthusiastic audience in the Arena Porto of the Calabrian capital. The evening was opened by the founder of the festival, Gianvito Casadonte, who was proud to announce that Costner’s latest work – Horizon-An American Saga – after the screening at Cannes and the passage in Calabria, will see its second chapter land, in a world premiere, at the Venice Film Festival.
The American actor and director was then the protagonist of a debate conducted by Silvia Biziojournalist and co-director of the MGFF. An opportunity to retrace the deep love for cinema cultivated since childhood, the special relationship with Italy and with the Italian public thanks to the affection given by the spectators since the days of «Fandango». Costner began: «My heart is full of joy to be here tonight. I would like people to feel the same joy for the way I was welcomed. It is really special because Italy – he explained – is a country that not only celebrates and loves cinema, but it is a country that more than thirty years ago changed my life thanks to a trip to Venice. I am really happy to be back here with my film. Thank you for tonight, I will never forget it because this country saved me.”
Costner received the Golden Column created by the GB Spadafora Brand and delivered by the President of the Calabria Region, Roberto Occhiutowith the motivations of being «a titan of great international cinema, author of epic and heroic stories that continue to excite and make entire generations dream. Icon of style, charm, courage and commitment to the defense of the environment. Thank you Kevin Costner, with the hope that Calabria will be a source of inspiration for you for a new story to add to the unforgettable ones you have given us up to now». «We are happy that you have been able to get to know Calabria thanks to the Magna Graecia Film Festival» Occhiuto began by thanking the Artistic Director of the Festival: «Thanks to Gianvito Casadonte who, with great sacrifice and great commitment, shows a better Calabria. I am grateful to him and to those who, together with him, have worked to put Calabria on the stage».
The Oscar winner was also honored with the Calabria Film Commission Award by president Antonio Giulio Grande. At the Supercinema in Catanzaro, the film «Abang e Adik» by Lay Jin Ong was screened for the «First and Second International Works» section. The MGFF continues tonight with a rich program with the presentation, at 5:30 pm, at the Hotel Perla del Porto, by the Calabria Film Commission and Anica Academy, of «Talented Creativity: ideas for telling Calabria» and, at 6:15 pm on the Saliceti Terrace in the Spazio Radio 2 Rai, the presentation of the book «Carlo Delle Piane. The man I loved» by Anna Crispino.
At the Arena Porto the guests of the evening will be the Oscar winner Tim Robbinsthe unforgettable face of «Beautiful» Clayton Norcross and director Brando De Sica who will present his film in competition «Mimì il principe delle tenebre». Also scheduled is the musical performance of Carlo Amleto with Gabriele Vagnato. At the Supercinema in Catanzaro, from 8:30 pm, it will be the turn of «Il Mare Nascosto» by Luca Calvetta, in the presence of the director, and «Inshallah A Boy» by Amjad Al Rasheed.