Johnny Depp's new film Ways the Rome Film Festival will close on Saturday 26 October and the inhabitants of the Eternal City can't wait for the star to arrive.
Indeed, the highlight of an otherwise unremarkable edition of the 10-day festival will undoubtedly be Johnny Depp's appearance on Saturday to introduce the biopic. Wayspremiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival and chronicles three chaotic days in the life of Italian painter and sculptor Amedeo Modigliani.
Meanwhile, in an event separate from the film festival, Depp's film will receive the coveted Capri Cult Award on Friday evening.
The manufacturer of WaysBarry Navidi, a longtime friend of Al Pacino, will accept the Capri award on Friday evening. In Depp's film, Navidi plays Maurice Gagnant, an art collector fascinated by Modigliani.
The Capri Cult Award is awarded by the Capri Institute, the non-profit organization that organizes a film festival on the island of the same name every year. The annual Capri Fest begins December 27. The Capri Institute is chaired by Lina Wertmuller. Last year's winner was Miranda's victimthe independent film directed by Michele Danner.
Modi showcases Depp's directorial skills, pushing beyond traditional clichés, and features an all-star cast, including Al Pacino and Rebecca Hall, telling the story of how famed painter Modigliani delves into his art, relationships and his personal struggles. It highlights Modigliani's struggle to make a name for himself in the art world, showcasing his creative genius and tumultuous experiences.
Depp's appearance in front of the film festival audience will take place on Saturday, but Depp-mania will begin the day before with the official presentation of the Capri Award at the Studios – Ex De Paolis in Rome.
At the end of the ceremony, a gala dinner will be held with a list of star guests from Italian cinema and beyond. Participants will include Oscar winner Billie August, Tony Renis and Oscar-winning set designers Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo. The stars of the film, Riccardo Scamarcio and Antonia Desplat, and other Italian celebrities will also be present, including Enrico Vanzina, Massimo Ghini, Lina Sastri and others.
“It is a joy to combine the official opening of the 29th edition of Capri Hollywood in Rome with the celebration of the centenary of the laying of the foundation stone of the International Studios on Via Tiburtina,” said Pascal Vicedomini, promoter of the Capri Awards project.
Vicedomini, which hosts an Enter HollywoodItalian television style program, he is the founder and president of the Capri Institute. He dedicated his life to film broadcasts and to building cultural bridges between Italy and the United States. Under his leadership, the Capri Institute hosted significant events, promoting Italian film talent in Hollywood.
The Capri Cult Award, which precedes the Capri Hollywood festival (which runs from December 27 to January 2), exemplifies Vicedomini's impact on the industry. With the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture and corporate sponsors, it transformed the Los Angeles festival into a sister event to Capri.
“This festival is considered a good luck charm for some of our participants,” Vicedomini said. “We included many names that were initially unknown and then exploded, such as Gerard Butler and Mélanie Laurent,” he added.