The Davids are fun, but these are the ones that matter. Champagne for the winners!
The “She’ll Be A Hollywood Star” Award
Her role as Viola in Suburra sealed the deal; Greta Scarano’s going to be big. The lack of nomination by the David di Donatello Awards was a sign that the Davids are out of touch with the modern world on many levels. WATCH SUBURRA NOW
The “My Oh My What A Handsome Guy” Award
What does Alessandro Gassman have in common with George Clooney? They are both more handsome every year, almost in a spooky, “has he made a deal with the devil?” way. It’s the same with his acting. He’s turning into one of Italy’s best, and if you don’t believe me, check out Ivano De Matteo’s I Nostri Ragazzi, The Dinner.
The “Laugh My Ass Off” Award (Director)
I will be the first to let you know when Alberto Caviglia’s comedy about anti-semitism, Pecore In Erba makes it to the USA. It premiered a the Venice Film Festival, I first saw it there, and I have been laughing ever since. He’s got the best trailer of the year, that’s for sure.
The “Laugh My Ass Off” Award (Actor)
The most naturally hilarious actor in Italy today, Stefano Fresi. He’s riding the wave of the future of Italian comedy, just a super funny guy that you’d love to hang out without an over-acting bone in his body. Check out Stefano being a good sport when he gets a ride from YouTube’s iduca40, the karaoke cab driver.
The Best Rapper/Actor Award
This talented young guy, Matteo Creatini, star of Short Skin, is going to be internationally famous one way or another. Check out his rap group CreMa.
The “The ‘I Love Lucy” Award
She’s the modern Lucille Ball, beautiful and really funny. If I were a director I’d put her in every movie I made. Check her out in Ferzan Ozpetek’s Mine Vaganti (Loose Cannons) and in Short Skin.
And let her help you with your day: she writes the horoscopes for Ladyblitz.
The “DOP Extraordinaire” Award
Anime Nere (Black Souls), Vergine Giurata (Sworn Virgin), La Pazza Gioia (Like Crazy), La Felicità e un Sistema Complesso…and more. Do I need to say more? He’s the most talented, hardest working cinematographer working today.
If you haven’t seen Anime Nere (Black Souls), (and first of all, why haven’t you??) watch it now.
The “Future Martin Scorsese Award”
This directorial team brought us the super cool Salvo (WATCH SALVO NOW), and is working on another that I just can not wait for, Sicilian Ghost Story. The script was among the winners of this year’s Sundance Institute Global Filmmaking Award. It’s being called “Brothers Grimm meets Cosa Nostra”.
The “The Most Universally Great Movie Of The Year” Award
The Davids got this one right; Paolo Genovese’s BEST FILM award for Perfetti Sconosciuti was deserved. When a woman suggests a party game at a dinner party with her husband and five friends, it becomes a game of “chicken” that nobody really wants to play but nobody can say “no” to. It’s a game I surely wouldn’t be interested in playing: Put your cell phone in the middle of the dining room table and share all calls and messages with everyone there. Once it’s suggested, nobody has the guts to admit it’s a bad idea. Perfetti Sconosciuti won best foreign screenplay at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
The I Love Italian Movies Lifetime Achievement Award
If you know me at all, you aren’t surprised. Luigi Lo Cascio will get this award from me over and again. Check out EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT LUIGI LO CASCIO in last year’s birthday tribute to him.
I Love Italian Everything 