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Martin Scorsese, Michael Douglas, Catherine Deneuve, Helen Hunt and Olivia Wilde are among the guests at the 71st edition of the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily, which runs June 10-14.
Scorsese, who will receive a lifetime achievement award, will be honored in the evocative location of the ancient Greek theater, which boasts a view of the currently active volcano Etna. A screening of “Taxi Driver” will celebrate the occasion.
“Scorsese is much more than a filmmaker — he is a living legend, whose unique cinematic voice has explored the human soul, social complexity, and raw emotion with unmatched power and elegance,” Tiziana Rocca, the artistic director of the festival, said.
Scorsese is working on documentary “The Shipwrecks of Sicily,” which follows the work of underwater archeologist Lisa Briggs, who uses the latest scientific techniques to bring to life the history of the sailors and ships that have sunk off the coast of the island.
This is the first time Scorsese has visited the festival which in past years has honored the likes of Robert de Niro, Sophia Loren, Sharon Stone and Richard Gere.
Rocca has brought together an impressive lineup of international guests this year.
On the opening night, actor-producer Douglas will be the guest of honor and will receive the Taormina Excellence Achievement Award in recognition of “his lasting contribution to international film culture.” The ceremony will be followed by a screening of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” which won Douglas an Oscar as producer and celebrates its 15th anniversary. Douglas will also be meeting with students as part of a reachout program during the festival.
French actor Catherine Deneuve will also receive a career award during a gala evening that will include a screening of her most recent film “Spirit World,” directed by Eric Khoo, which will be making its Italian premiere.
Oscar-winning actor Helen Hunt joins the awardees being celebrated at the festival. Hunt has pursued a parallel career as a director, with such films as “Then She Found Me” and “Ride.” “With her elegance, multifaceted talent and artistic consistency, Helen embodies the values that our festival wants to celebrate: passion, commitment and love of cinematic storytelling,” Rocca said.
Another actor-director, Wilde has starred in films such as “Drinking Buddies” and “Tron: Legacy” before stepping behind the camera to direct “Booksmart” and “Don’t Worry Darling.” According to Rocca, Wilde “represents a shining example of female creative power, combining elegance, intelligence, and determination.”
English (US) ·