The Cinecittà@Lumina studies led by Carlo Conti with Matilde Gioli, the 68th edition of the David di Donatello Awards broadcast live on Rai 1 directed by Maurizio Pagnussat. “Finally without masks, we will be able to see the smiles of the candidates and the winners”, said Carlo Conti connecting for the preview of the ceremony, during which twenty-five David di Donatello Awards and the Special Davids will be awarded.
The David for Lifetime Achievement 2023 will go to Marina Stork which has produced some of the most important films in the history of Italian and international cinema. Two Special Davids were awarded during this edition: to Isabella Rossellini, one of the best known and most appreciated Italian actresses in the world, and to Henry Vanzinaone of the filmmakers most loved by the Italian public, especially in tandem with his late brother Carlo.
‘The big day’ directed by Massimo Venier with Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo is the winner of the David dello Spectatore, ‘The dependent variables’ by Lorenzo Tardella goes the David di Donatello for Best Short Film.
Among the guests of the evening, the American actor and director Matt Dillon, which will be at the next Cannes Film Festival among the protagonists of ‘Asteroid City’ by Wes Anderson, and the singers Matteo Bocelli and Noemi. The Jury of the Academy of Italian Cinema – David di Donatello Awards awards the films released in Italy from 1 March 2022 to 31 December 2022 in cinemas and a David Award for international cinema.
There are 20 David Awards for Italian cinema: film, direction, directorial debut, original screenplay, non-original screenplay (adaptation), producer, leading actress, leading actor, supporting actress, supporting actor, cinematographer, composer, original song, stage design, costume design, makeup, hair styling, editing, sound and VFX visual effects. Then there is a David Award for best international film, destined for one of the foreign works distributed in Italy. In this edition there are 141 Italian feature-length fiction films registered for the David di Donatello, of which 20 directed by female directors, 48 first works, 132 documentaries and 444 short films in competition.
Emanuela Fanelli best supporting actress
The David di Donatello 2023 for Best Supporting Actress goes to Emmanuel Fanelli for the movie ‘Drought‘ by Paolo Virzi. The actress takes the stage and begins to thank everyone. “Thanks to Paolo Virzì who looked at me. I don’t know how he thought of me. I thank him for loving actors and human beings so much. It felt like I was making my debut in the Champions League with you,” she added. She then also thanked Valerio Lundini with whom she worked on the show ‘Una pezza di Lundini “.
Best Supporting Actor Francesco Di Leva
To the Neapolitan actor the prize for the film of Mario Martone “Nostalgia“. “I understand that May is a lucky month”, says the actor as he takes the stage, alluding to the championships won by Napoli (and to the birth of his son on May 5). Then a special thanks to the director: “Thanks to Mario Martone that has accompanied my career for years. Right now there are 60 kids watching us. What we are doing in San Giovanni a Teduccio is thanks to you”. Then the dedication: “To my wife who makes me a simple man, an honest man”. “Tonight you are rewarding two: without Pierfrancesco Favino”, he concludes.
“The strangeness” best screenplay and best costumes
The David di Donatello 2023 for best scenography to Giada Calabria for the furniture and Loredana Raffi for the film ‘The Strangeness‘ by Roberto Andò. The movie with Ficarra and Picone it also wins for the best costumes with Maria Rita Barbera.
The David for best original screenplay goes to Roberto Andò, Ugo Chiti and Massimo Gaudioso for the film ‘The strangeness’. “A film about writing for which this award is a great satisfaction. I am pleased to share it with my fellow screenwriters – said Andò – it was a happy job”.
Barbara Ronchi the best actress, Gifuni best actor
For having interpreted “Settembre”, directed by Giulia Steigerwalt, with Fabrizio Bentivoglio,Barbara Ronchi won the prestigious award for best actress. While how,best leading actor was chosen Fabrizio Gifuni, interpreter of “Esterno notte” by Marco Bellocchio. Withdrawing the award, Gifuni wanted to thank all the cast.
Marco Bellocchio the best director award
For “Night Exterior” Mark Bellocchio won the statuette for best director in the 68th edition of the David di Donatello. In collecting the award, for the seventh time in his career, he confessed: “I didn’t expect it, I’m telling the truth, but I accept it – he explains – at my age you become wise. The important thing is not to stop. I hope to still have time to do things. I’m also moderately excited and I don’t thank many, but I will do it in private,” the director said again.
The David di Donatello 2023 for the best unoriginal screenplay going to Felix Van Groeningen, Charlotte Vandermeersh for the movie ‘The Eight Mountains’.
Marina Cicogna: “The career award makes me very proud”
“In this moment that I am ill, I have written a book (‘Still hope’, ed), an autobiography written together. Now I receive this award which makes me very proud and belongs to my past. The pleasure you feel when you see a good movie at the cinema is another thing for which I invite everyone to go to the cinema”. She says it Marina Storkthe greatest Italian producer – among his films ‘Investigation of a citizen above all suspicion’ with which he won the Oscar – withdrawing the David di Donatello for his career from the hands of Carlo Conti.
“I’ve worked with so many directors, but the one I’ve worked with the best is Elio Petri and losing it so soon was really a shame”, he adds. Today’s cinema? “The relationship between producers and directors has been somewhat lost. Perhaps also because today directors produce their own films”.
On being the only female producer in a man’s world: “At the time, we didn’t pay much attention to it, although I must say that men have never helped women too much.” What are you hoping for today? “I hope our cinema continues to be one of the best in the world.”
Stefano Bollani best composer
The David di Donatello 2023 for best composer goes to Stefano Bollani for the film ‘Il pataffio’ by Francesco Lagi. “It’s new to me and I’m happy to be part of the cinema family. I enjoyed playing the harpsichord with magnificent musicians and a pyrotechnic cast. I dedicate the award to someone who supports and puts up with me and is a light in my life: Valentina, my wife”, says the composer as he collects the award.
The prize for the best trick to Enrico Iacoponi for ‘Esterno notte’ by Marco Bellocchio, the first after seven nominations.