Masters of Italian cinema on showcase at film festival in Mumbai

Legendary Oscar-winning Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore is all set for his maiden visit to India, as a part of the Italian film festival Cinema Italian Style – Celebrating Tornatore And The Masters Of Italian Cinema in Mumbai. 

Organized by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), the festival aims to celebrate the legends of Italian cinema and showcase restored classics from decades past.

Writer and director of iconic Italian films like Cinema Paradiso and Malèna, the 68-year-old maestro will be honored with the FHF Lifetime Achievement Award for Cinema Projection and will conduct an interactive masterclass for aspiring film students. 

Additionally, Tornatore will also participate in an exclusive fireside chat for film enthusiasts and the Indian film industry.

To commemorate Tornatore’s inaugural visit to India, the festival will include a mini-retrospective of his acclaimed works, featuring screenings of cult classics like Cinema Paradiso, Malèna, and The Best Years of Our Lives.

“During his (Tornatore’s) time in Mumbai, he will present the 4K restoration of his film Cinema Paradiso, one of the most beautiful and universally loved films of all time, a timeless classic that has the power to move you no matter how many times you watch it,” said Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, filmmaker and director at the FHF. 

The film tells the story of a young boy falling in love with cinema, and pays tribute to the craft of cinema and film projectionists. 

“I was delighted to hear that my film Cinema Paradiso is known and loved in India and I am honoured that my films will be presented alongside the films of great Italian masters like Vittorio de Sica, Luchino Visconti, Federico Fellini and Sergei Leone,” said Tornatore.

The three-day festival will also showcase restored films by these renowned Italian directors, including Visconti’s Senso, Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, de Sica’s Marriage Italian Style, and Leone’s Once Upon A Time in America. 

This festival promises to be a treat for film lovers, offering a unique opportunity to appreciate the artistry and legacy of Italian cinema.

The Cinema Italian Style festival will take place from September 27 – 29 in Mumbai at Regal Cinema.