Right after the ATP finals, Torino becomes the cinema hub of the peninsula. Actors and directors, from Antonio Banderas to Spike Lee arrive in the city surrounded by the Alps. The 43rd edition of the Turin Film Festival opens under the watchful eyes of the late Paul Newman.
The evening is cold, and the air is wet. With eyes closed, one can still pick out that unmistakable air of winter in the North of Italy. People pass by with umbrellas, other in cars, and fill up the square dominated by Palazzo Madama. Even though the Teatro Regio is full, the entrance is easy to reach. Outside, photographers, bodyguards and red carpets testify to the glamorous guests that flock inside. There, warmth welcomes the actors, directors and citizens who crowd to leave their heavy coats, along with all those winter gadgets that seem to shield from the freezing air.
Upstairs, a large parterre awaits, with drinks and food to prepare for the grand opening. Amongst the chatter, one can pick out convenevoli, gossip, and of course conversations about movies and cinema; the latter, the true protagonists of the evening. At one point, the lights begin to turn on and off. It remains unclear whether this was a glitch, or instead a fine strategy to escort guests to their seats inside the theatre.
When the lights wane in the Teatro, many are still standing and chatting. Voices settle quickly and faces turn towards the stage. Children dressed in black and white politely enter and position themselves on the stage. With soft voices, they begin to sing, under the benevolent, unmistakable eyes of Paul Newman. The star was born 100 years ago, and the Turin Film Festival celebrates him in this edition. After the music and a tribute to the late actor, the director Giulio Base arrives to welcome the guests to the 43rd edition of the festival. The “godmother”, Laura Chiatti, is invited to deliver a speech on vulnerability. And then, the protagonists start to arrive. Giants from the cinematic universe are awarded with the Stella della Mole: among them, Daniel Brühl, Sergio Castellitto, Jacqueline Bisset, Antonio Banderas, Spike Lee. Each from a very different background and era, the award recipients are a testimony to the breadth and reach of the seventh art. Giulio Base interacts with each one, allowing a moment to show their most recognizable characteristics. Castellitto, who is close to Turin for personal reasons, notes that it is a city of “aristocracy, bourgeoisie, and proletariat.” Dolph Lundgren, who is one of the guests on stage, instead re-enacts the famous line from Rocky: “I must break you.” This time, the target is not Rocky Balboa, but the artistic Director. Fortunately, it is just a sketch; enough to scare a seated audience, nonetheless. Applauses roar in the room at every new arrival, and the spectacular acoustics only make the boom louder.
When the award ceremony is over, the evening inside the theatre concludes in the most natural way possible: a film screening. The title is David Freyne’s newly released “Eternity”, starring Elisabeth Olsen, Miles Teller and Callum Turner. What seems initially like an easy-hearted romantic comedy, proves to engage the viewer with deep, at times dark, existential themes. How would one spend eternity? And most importantly, with whom? The answer seems complicated, but in the end is revealed to be the simplest of all.
Applauses subside and the guests leave the theatre in an orderly fashion; one you rarely see at such large gatherings. For some, a gala dinner is awaiting upstairs. A well-deserved ending to a grand opening. Though, as Eliot would have it, “in my end is my beginning.” For the following week, Torino hosts a series of events, projections and exhibitions around its central theme. All under the hypnotic gaze of Paul Newman.
I’m always looking for things that give me the impression I exist. I’m not a magician, so I write. And take some pictures along the way. I also happen to be in ESS.
