Real NICE Italian film festival is coming to Cork
The upcoming NICE Italian Film Festival will be held in Ireland next month for the first time in its 30 year history, and it’s chosen Cork, of course.
We will, however, have to partially share the spoils with Dublin as the festival will be divided between the two cities.
New Italian Cinema Events (NICE) has announced the festival will spend one day in the capital before moving down to Cork’s Gate Cinema for a four day main event from 19-22 May.
The NICE Film Festival, which seeks to promote Italian film internationally, reaches Ireland after a long and complex journey starting from its humble origins as it set out to explore paths of new cinema, new talent and new trends.
This year’s programme contains a mix of dramatic films that tell stories of social distress related to problems inherent in the world of crime and corruption, as well as some more personal spheres such as adolescent and female growth.
There are some comedies in the mix that, although they are certainly funny, are balanced on the edge of a razor sharp irony that highlights the social difficulties of today’s world, the phenomenon of immigration, sexual diversity, and the various ways and styles of life.
Among the films that will be shown are ‘Ennio’ by Giuseppe Tornatore, which explores the life of the late Italian composer Ennio Morricone, known for scoring some 500 films in his long career, including many classic spaghetti westerns.
Discovering new talent is paramount to organisers of the festival which helps to ensure Italian filmmakers can be appreciated both at home and abroad.
Speaking ahead of the festival’s arrival in Ireland, Artistic Director, Viviana Del Bianco said: “The 2022 edition is particularly important thanks to the significant and increasingly strong collaboration with local authorities and institutions, the MiC-Ministry of Culture, the Tuscany Region, and the City of Florence. The festival is a tribute to the tradition that looks to the future, and that has always celebrated the commitment to innovation and diversity.”
Italian Institute of Culture Director, Marco Gioacchini has been enjoying the NICE Italian Film Festival since it began in 2010 and says he is honoured, 12 years later, to launch the very Irish outing in Cork.
He said: “For a long while now, we have tried to establish a regular and prestigious film event in the form of an Italian film festival. Many prominent academic and cultural figures, who represent Italy in Ireland, have contributed greatly over the years to the success of this project by organising festivals, film clubs and public events with the participation of directors and actors.
“The existing interest and exceptional contributions have been crucial for the realisation of this first NICE Italian Film Festival Ireland.”
UCC, UCD and Trinity college all played vital roles in bringing the festival to Ireland, as well as Gate Cinema Cork and Cineworld Dublin.
For more information, visit nicefestival.org.