Cannes 2012 Official Selection Preview - De Rouille et d’Os (Rust & Bone) by Jacques Audiard

Very excited about this movie not only because is Jacques Audiard next film after outstanding Un Prophète (A Prophet) but also because Marion Cotillard is the main character in a woman-centered story that surely will not be easy to watch but I know is the vehicle for a superb performance by Cotillard.

In the last 18 years Audiard has made only 5 films and I have seen only one, a number that I hope to improve ASAP; so it's not easy to have clear expectations especially because four of his previous films are male-centered and this one is female-centered. Nevertheless I expect raw violence and what I call a "very French" movie with outstanding visuals, great storytelling style and superb actors' performances; but most of all, I know I have to get an intense emotional voyage that will take me and shake me up and down.

Film synopsis is distressing.

Ali suddenly finds himself in charge of Sam, his 5 years old son that he barely knows. Penniless and without friends, he leaves the north of France to seek shelter at his sister’s in Antibes. Even though she and her husband do not have much money, they make a room for them in their garage and take care of Sam. Ali finds work as a bouncer at a local nightclub. After diffusing a fight one evening, he meets Stephanie a beautiful, self-confident woman. He takes her home and leaves her his number. But she is a princess and he is a poor fellow.

Stephanie is a killer whale trainer at the local Marineland. After a terrible accident one day, Ali gets an unexpected phone call from Stephanie. When he sees her again she is crammed into a wheelchair. She has lost both her legs and her dreams. Ali will share genuine moments with her, without pity, and help her to live again

Outstanding visuals (trailer) plus the intense emotional voyage is more than suggested when Audiard and Thomas Bidegain talk about the movie, here is an excerpt.

Dès le début de notre travail d’adaptation, nous nous sommes tournés vers une forme cinématographique que faute de mieux nous appelions « expressionniste », où la force des images viendrait servir le mélodrame. Une esthétique tranchée, brutale et contrastée. Celle de la Grande Dépression, celle des films de foire, où l’extraordinaire étrangeté des propositions visuelles sublime la noirceur du réel. Celle d’un monde où « Dieu vomit les tièdes ».

There are high probabilities that my expectation will be met and even surpassed. A few film stills from the many available to show beauty and violence.




Audiard in Cannes

With only five films, this is his sixth, there is no surprise to find that his first film Regarde les hommes tomber (See How They Fall) was screened at 1994 Cannes at a parallel section; two years later in 1996 comes back with Un héros très discret (A Self-Made Hero) this time in competition for the Palme d'Or and winner of the fest Best Screenplay. Is in 2009 when he returns with outstanding Un Prophète (A Prophet) also in competition and winner of the Grand Prix.

Buzz claims that Audiard is THE frontrunner for this year top winner as he has to get the Palme that was "robbed" from him in 2009. I don't agree with the "robbed" part (Haneke won) but with his credentials and from the little I'm willing to see and read about this movie I don't doubt that this is the film to beat. Still is the jury and no one else who will decide, but from what I know from jurors I tend to think that this could be a film most will be pleased with.

Also don't doubt that Marion Cotillard has to be a strong contender for the fest Best Actress award and won't be surprised if she gets it.

I read and watched more videos than I usually do to write this, which some of you recall that I don't like to do as I love to be surprised by great films, especially by French films, so I hope that after all that I learned I can still be intensively surprised. Obviously is a Must Be Seen movie for me and one that I strongly recommend to those that enjoy French cinema, a recommendation that comes even before watching film. If you haven't seen A Prophet, I suggest you watch it ASAP as will blow your mind and body.

Film Specs
Directed by Jacques Audiard
Written by Jacques Audiard and Thomas Bidegain
Starring: Marion Cotillard, Matthias Schoenaerts, Bouli Lanners, Céline Sallette
Language: French
Nationality: Majority French (France and Belgium)
Runtime: 1h 55m
Production Year: 2011

End Notes
De Rouille et d’Os at Cannes site go here. There are 4 videos that I refuse to watch, enough with trailer.
Audiard in Cannes go here.
Why Not productions go here.
Ucg distribution go here.
Unifrance go here.

Cannes 2012 Official Selection Preview - American Films

There are five (5) only USA production movies in the Palme d'Or competition and to make my life easier decide to do one post for all of them.

Opening Film: Moonrise Kingdom by Wes Anderson.

Can't deny that I have seen all Anderson movies but unfortunately his storytelling style is not one that I enjoy; from all his feature films perhaps The Royal Tenenbaums is the one that I dislike less. Can't help but share that his style is fantastic for ads and he has some really outstanding ads. I expect this film to have his peculiar filmmaking and storytelling style that showcases methodical cinematography, dry humor, flawed characters and "wandering around" narrative.

Film has some of his regular actors but this time includes Tilda Swinton that I really hope will walk the red carpet on opening night and is about the only thing that excites me from this film. Is his first time in Cannes and I believe he has to pay his dues before being honored at this fest, still juries are the ones that decide honors so anything could happen. Film already has the honor of being Cannes opening film which assures the presence well-know Hollywood actors at fest opening red carpet.

Film Specs: IMDb
End Notes: Cannes official site.
Trailer go here.



Killing Them Softly by Andrew Dominik

Know him only from his previous movie The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford a film that I did not enjoyed at all and since was being a not-positive experience I didn't finish watching, sigh. From photos, video at Cannes site and film synopsis I imagine something very similar to his previous film, but somehow this time want to be positive as film style kind of resembles Ken Loach raw realistic approach.

Film has some well-known Hollywood actors and one celebrity: Brad Pitt that surely will walk the red carpet again. Is his first time at Cannes and believe that being in competition could be the main honor this film will collect in the fest.

Film Specs: IMDb
End Notes: Cannes official site.
Clip go here.

Lawless by John Hillcoat

I'm excited with this film as from trailer looks and feels like good entertainment escape moment kind of movie plus has a very interesting cast with one actor that I'm waiting for him to stop doing teenage targeted movies and seems he finally did, Shia LaBeouf. But also acclaimed Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska are here, plus Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman and Guy Pearce.

Not familiar with director as haven't seen any of his films, maybe I should check The Road to have an idea about his filmmaking style.

Is Hillcoat first time in Cannes and IF jury wishes to give any honor to an American film, this could be one of the possibilities just because visual images are kind of interesting.

Film Specs: IMDb
End Notes: Cannes official site.
Trailer go here.


Mud by Jeff Nichols

This movie could be a different kind of American film just because director previous movie is outstanding Take Shelter that not only had absolutely great visuals but story was superb, just read my review here to see what film did to me.

With this background I have high hopes for this movie where I expect the dichotomy of having a simple story told in a complex and layered way that magnificently could confuse viewers plus essential gorgeous visuals. Clips at Canes site assure me that will get the visuals and just hope story will be amazingly told.

Casting has top Hollywood actors and well-known actors like Michael Shannon who was also in Take Shelter; so we could see Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon walking the red carpet which will assure wide media coverage to a film that deserves it.

Is Jeff Nichols second time in Cannes. First time was last year when Take Shelter was screened at la Semaine de la Critique and went to win the parallel section top award plus the SACD Award. This year his film is in competition which tells me that this young of age and young at Cannes director will have a long relationship with the fest. Oh yes, I believe that from all American films this is the one that could (and should) win top honors. Obviously is a Must Be Seen movie for me.

Film Specs: Cannes official site.
End Notes: Two clips here.

The Paperboy by Lee Daniels

Acclaimed Lee Daniels got his way into the Cannes main competition after being honored all over the world for his 2009 sophomore film, Precious that is another film that I simply could not watch completely as was making me sick in so many ways that had to stop and leave.

I believe this film has to be different to his previous as not only has a star-studded cast but from images and clips looks/feels with less disturbing style. Film could be the second time Matthew McConaughey will walk the red carpet this time in the company of none other than Nicole Kidman, John Cusack and well, Zac Efron. Don't have expectations about this film but I know will watch more because the cast than because the director.

Is Daniels second time in Cannes, the first was with Precious screened at 2009 Un Certain Regard section and have to admit that this is the second American film most likely to get honors at Cannes not only because director's credentials but also because Nicole Kidman performance that has generated buzz thanks to Thierry Fremaux's comments for selecting this film, which could mean Kidman winning Best Actress.

Film Specs: IMDb.
End Notes: Cannes official site.
Clip here.

American films are not my cup of tea when I want to watch great cinema BUT fortunately I have seen many that positively surprise and impress me beyond my wildest imagination thus I'm hoping for my own selfish pleasure that one of the above films will do it again for me. I'm sure Nichols' Mud will impact me but I should be careful with my expectations and don't up them too high.

Cannes 2012 Official Selection Preview - ライク・サムワン・イン・ラブ Like Someone in Love by Abbas Kiarostami

With a unique style Kiarostami absolutely challenges viewers by playing with our expectations and provoking our imagination. His style is magnificently unpretentious poetic and with a not-always clear philosophical vision that only stimulates more the imagination. That's what I expect from Like Someone in Love, the same expectations I had for Copie Conforme (Certified Copy) that were fulfilled above my highest expectations as you can see in my review here.

If you watch gorgeous trailer here and think about the following synopsis I'm sure that your imagination will start to fly in whatever direction you feel like. But be assured that when watching film anything could be possible and most likely will not resemble what you imagined.

An old man and a young woman meet in Tokyo. She knows nothing about him, he thinks he knows her. He welcomes her into his home, she offers him her body. But the web that is woven between them in the space of twenty four hours bears no relation to the circumstances of their encounter.

I know that visuals in his films are outstanding but have to admit that Kiarostami captures me with his narrative, his stories and his storytelling technique grab me so much that visuals go to a second place which is unusual as I'm a very visual cinema lover. But I do expect great visuals from this movie and the following images plus trailer tell me that I will get them.



Kiarostami in Cannes

Kiarostami and Cannes have a long history that started in 1992 with Zendegi Edame Darad (Life, and Nothing More...) at the Un Certain Regard section, came back in 1994 with Zire Darakhtan Zeyton (Though the Olive Trees) in competition for the Palme and his story is so long that just let me share that has been in competition 4 times, this film is his fifth. He won (ex aequo with Shôhei Imamura's Unagi) the Palme d'Or in 1997 with fabulous Ta'm e Guilass (Taste of Cherry).

Can't say that have seen all his films, it's very hard to find his earlier Iranian movies, but from the ones I have seen and his history at Cannes, plus Certified Copy not winning the Palme d'Or in 2010 (but Juliette Binoche winning Best Actress) and this film looking/feeling very similar I believe that he will not get a major award. Still inside my deepest self I hope this time he gets a more than deserved recognition.

Film Specs
Directed by Abbas Kiarostami
Written by Abbas Kiarostami
Former known as: The End
Starring: Rin Takanashi, Tadashi Okuno, Ryō Kase
Nationality: Majority Japan (France, Japan)
Filming locations: Tokyo, Japan
Runtime: 109 minutes
Production year: 2011

End Notes
Movie at Cannes site go here.
Kiarostami in Cannes go here.
Mk2 go here.

Cannes 2012 Official Selection Preview - După dealuri (Beyond the Hills) by Cristian Mungiu

I fell in love with Romanian cinema thanks to Cristian Mungiu that with his truly outstanding film 4 luni, 3 saptamâni si 2 zile (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days) gave me reason to explore the Romanian cinema new wave and I plunged so deep that even went to learn the language.

For me Mungiu's style in 4 months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days is highly emotional, a film that explodes your emotions in a roller-coaster way, a very intense emotional experience while straight-forward telling a simple yet very disturbing story. That's exactly what I imagine will get from his third feature-length movie especially because is another women story inspired by true events.

With my wild imagination I'm hoping that film could have "some" lesbian interest as synopsis below plus some of the images gave me the hope; still, the lesbian interest is absolutely non-essential for me to be highly excited about this film.

Alina returns to Romania from Germany, hoping to bring Voichita - the only person in the world she loves and was loved by - back to her. But Voichita has found God - and God is the hardest lover of all to be jealous of.

I relate Mungiu's work mainly with intense emotions but Beyond the Hills stills give the impression that this time Mungiu will also deliver breathtaking visuals as the ones that follow.



In the end my expectations rotate around intense emotions with fabulous visuals in a simple story told in Mungiu's very particular style which I imagine had to evolve in his third oeuvre. Obviously this is a must be seen for me.

Cristian Mungiu in Cannes

Mungiu's relationship with Cannes starts in 2002 when his debut film Occident is screened in the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs; then five years later, in 2007, he returns with outstanding 4 luni, 3 saptamâni si 2 zile (4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days) in competition which went to win the Palme d'Or. Two years later, in 2009, Amintiri din epoca de aur (Tales from the Golden Age), a shorts collection written by Mungiu and directed by him plus other directors, is screened at Un Certain Regard section.

I don't doubt that Mungiu could get a second Palme but I'm dubious if is going to be this year. Nevertheless he has a strong relationship with the festival that has screened ALL his feature-length films plus some of his shorts and most of all already is a Cannes Palme d'Or winner, so he has to be a strong contender that could get significant recognition.

Film Specs
Directed by Cristian Mungiu
Written by Cristian Mungiu (Inspired by the non-fiction novels of Tatianei Niculescu Bran)
Starring: Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur, Valeriu Andriuţă, Dana Tapalagă
Language: Romanian
Nationality: Majority Romanian (Romania, France, Belgium)
Runtime: 2h 35m
Production year: 2011-2012
North America rights: Sundance Selects

End Notes
După dealuri at Cannes site go here. There are three clips!!!
Mungiu in Cannes go here.
Mobra films go here.
Le Pacte go here.
Why Not Productions go here.
Wild Bunch International go here.
Film New Europe go here.
Unifrance go here.

Cannes 2012 Official Selection Preview - Post Tenebras Lux by Carlos Reygadas

The much awaited (by me) semi-autobiographical fiction film by outstanding master filmmaker Carlos Reygadas that with only three feature-length films has established himself as one of the most prominent master filmmakers in contemporary world cinema and one of the most adored directors by me, mainly because his breathtaking realistic visuals, outstanding framing/compositions and stories that blow and could shock your mind is finally here. For me he does films that are the complete "package", the complete filmmaking/storytelling experience where everything you see and everything you hear are seen and hear at the right moment, in the right sequence and with the right storytelling technique. So close to perfection. This is what I expect from his latest oeuvre.

There is no doubt in my mind that Post Tenebras Lux, Latin for Light After Darkness, will have breathtaking images and you'll agree while watching these stunning images.



Clearly we can see that Reygadas realistic approach to visuals style is in these pictures as it is in his own description about what film is all about. At the 2010 Berlinale Reygadas told Variety what follows.

"Lux" will be about "feelings, memories, dreams, things I've hoped for, fears, facts of my current life," ... "reason will intervene as little as possible, like an expressionist painting where you try to express what you're feeling through the painting rather than depict what something looks like,".

Those comments absolutely blow my mind as tell about something I have always appreciated in great films, visuals that I can compare to paintings, that allow me to have an experience similar to when I see a great paint but also a great photography, a sculpture, a miraculous piece of architecture, and in a few words, a work of art.

The synopsis is puzzling especially when you add his own comments as we can see that hardly fits them; but no worries, most of Reygadas film synopsis have truly very little to do with the cinematic experience you live while watching them.

Juan and his young urban family live in the countryside of Mexico. There, they enjoy and suffer a world that understands life in a different way. Juan wonders if those worlds are complementary or, truly, they fight unconsciously to eliminate one another.

So I suggest to place our attention into the gorgeous visuals as if narrative will have very little reason, then this will be another very visual film.

Carlos Reygadas in Cannes

Reygadas opens his Cannes relationship in 2002 when his debut film Japon is screened at a parallel section and goes to win a Caméra d'Or Special Mention; in 2005 comes back with his second film, Batalla en el Cielo (Battle in Heaven) competing for the Palme d'Or. His third film Silent Light competes for the 2007 Palme d'Or and goes to win the Jury Prize ex aequo with Persepolis.

I believe that Reygadas has a long and fruitful cinema career ahead and know that eventually will win the Palme d'Or; but even do probably could deserve it with this film, this year eclectic jury could find film odd and "too different". Still I have my hopes as Reygadas has a solid history with the festival and maybe, only maybe, could get some significant recognition. Buzz around serious movie sites is high and positive especially after the release of the photographs, some predict it as the top winner. If Reygadas' Post Tenebras Lux wins the top award there will be a BIG party here.

A must be seen movie for me and one that I highly recommend even if I haven't seen it. If you're not familiar with the work of this director my best suggestion is to start watching him chronologically, first Japon, followed by Battle in Heaven and last, Silent Light; after the feature-length movies watch his shorts.

Film Specs
Directed by Carlos Reygadas
Written by Carlos Reygadas
Starring: Non-professional actors. Adolfo Jimenez, Natalia Acevedo, Willebaldo Torres, Eleazar Reygadas and Rut Reygadas
Language: Spanish
Nationality: Majority Mexican (France, Mexico, Netherlands)
Runtime: 2h
Production year: 2011

There is no trailer yet but a clip is promised as "coming soon" at Matarraya twitter account.

End Notes
Post Tenebras Lux at Cannes site go here.
Reygadas in Cannes go here.
Topkapi Films go here.
Le Pacte go here.
Unifrance go here.

Cannes 2012 Official Selection Preview - Amour by Michael Haneke

Introduction

As the most famous film festival in the world will start next week, a week later than always due to France presidential elections, a new to this blog idea came to my mind: to share my thoughts about each of the films in the Official Competition. Not an easy task as not all movies have trailers but have to admit that most have photos -some truly breathtaking- and many are from well-known to me directors that somehow assure me the quality of their work besides the obvious high quality that have to have to be in Cannes Official Selection.

Is very unusual to find in the Cannes Official Selection so many American movies, 5 in the Main Competition, 3 in Un Certain Regard, 1 in Special Screenings, and 1 in Midnight Screenings, for a total of 10 films in the Official Selection. Probably must a be a first but will check later to confirm. My honest first reaction was not-positive as in a way these films fill a place that could be filled with great non-American films that really need this festival to boost their exposure. But I know that this as any other festival is all about business and when you assure HUGE Hollywood celebrities walking the red carpet, the fest gets wider media exposure. Sigh.

Nevertheless the Official Selection has several of my favorite directors like Mexican Carlos Reygadas, Romanian Cristian Mungiu, Austrian Michael Haneke, and Iranian Abbas Kiarostami; can't deny that already knew about each of their films and was hoping for them to make the selection, so was kind of relief to find that they did. Great.

So without further introductory comments let's get into my first preview.

Amour (Love) by Michael Haneke

Absolutely "dying" to watch this film that reunites Haneke with Isabelle Huppert after 2001 La Pianiste (The Piano Teacher) and 2003 Le Temps du Loup (Time of the Wolf). Not only Haneke is one of my favorite directors but Huppert is one of my favorite actresses, one that makes me watch all her films. So that is the main reason for my true excitement about this film.

Talking about Haneke is talking about a cinema of disturbance that has marked his work since his earlier movies like really disturbing Funny Games or shocking-disturbing La Pianiste, to puzzlingly disturbing Caché (Hidden) and breathtaking yet disturbing The White Ribbon, so I'm assuming that Amour has to have his disturbing style but from the very little info available I'm expecting that disturbance will have a qualificative adjective that has to be his surprise twist in this film, that maybe, only maybe, could be (a bit more) emotional with an unexpected warmth from master filmmaker Haneke.

The available synopsis can't be more intriguing:

Georges and Anne are in their eighties. They are cultivated, retired music teachers.
Their daughter, who is also a musician, lives abroad with her family.
One day, Anne has an attack.
The couple's bond of love is severely tested.

What intrigues me the most is that Huppert plays Eva, a character that's not clearly stated in the synopsis, except for being the daughter; still, it is implied in the most Haneke style that leaves everything to your imagination, that will fly freely especially when you also know the characters that Huppert loves to play.

Also in this movie one of the greatest French actors and one that I have seen almost all his movies, Jean-Louis Trintignant. An older Trintignant with looks that still recall how handsome he was and mostly, how good an actor he was in almost all of his 137 films where is hard for me to say which performance I like best (maybe Costa-Gavras Z?), but can't hide that one of my emotional favorites is in Claude Lelouch's Un homme et une femme (A Man and A Woman). Trintignant in the hands and head of Haneke has to be spectacular.

5/14 update: FINALLY trailer is available here.

What else I'm expecting? Extraordinary images even when Amour cinematographer work does not facilitate me imagining greatness.

Haneke in Cannes

Haneke and Cannes have a tale of successful relationship; he has been nine times before with five films nominated to the Palme d'Or which with the exception of two, all collected mayor awards. The relationship started in 1989 where Haneke was in a parallel section with Der 7 Kontinent (The Seven Continent), in 1992 also in a parallel section was Benny's Video, and in 1994 again in a parallel section, 71 Fragmente einer Chronologie des Zufalls (71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance).

In 1997 Haneke comes back to Cannes with Funny Games that's part of the selection but does not collect awards; three years later, in 2000, Haneke came back with Code inconnu: Récit incomplet de divers voyages (Code Unknown: Incomplete Tales of Several Journeys) starring none other than Juliette Binoche, that won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury.

The following year, 2001, the Grand Prize of the Jury went to La Pianiste (The Piano Teacher) and four years after in 2005 Haneke won the Best Director for his amazing film Caché (Hidden) also starring Juliette Binoche; the film went to also win the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and the FIPRESCI Prize.

In 2009 Haneke comes to Cannes with what I have to call master oeuvre, Das weiße Band - Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte (The White Ribbon) that gave him his first Palme d'Or plus the Cinema Prize of the French National Education System and the FIPRESCI Prize.

Is he going to win his second Palme d'Or with Amour and belong to the small group (only six) of directors that have won the Palme twice? Haneke surely has all the necessary pedigree to be a strong contender and a frontrunner for the top award just because of his history with the festival and his outstanding films. Amour on the positive side has to have Haneke style plus an amazing dramatic cast; on the not so positive side, a cinematographer Darius Khondji that already worked with him in his American Funny Games American remake which may not be the best reference for success. These are the elements that fill my head and tell me that maybe he will get recognition.

Haneke is Haneke

At least for me. So no matter if he does fine or not at Cannes his film is absolutely must be seen for me and yes, I do have high expectations which I know is not the best to do, but with the casting and his master filmmaker style film has to be more than worth watching.

Last here is an insightful quote from his book Film als Katharsis (Film as Catharsis)

"My films are intended as polemical statements against the American ‘barrel down’ cinema and its dis-empowerment of the spectator. They are an appeal for a cinema of insistent questions instead of false (because too quick) answers, for clarifying distance in place of violating closeness, for provocation and dialogue instead of consumption and consensus."

Absolutely great vision, one that many filmmakers should have or at least, contemplate once in a while, then cinema will be true art where we film-viewers have the power to get from film what we like the most and the second time we watch with a different state of mind, we will be able to see something else. A vision that I'm still hoping will be the essence of Amour.

The only Amour photo available up to today.



New photo



Film Specs
Directed by Michael Haneke
Written by Michael Haneke
Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Louis Tritignant, Emmanuelle Riva, William Shimell
Language: French
Also known as: Liebe
Release date: October 24, 2012 in France
Nationality: Majority French (France, Germany, Austria)
Runtime: 2h 7m
Production year: 2011
North American rights: Sony Pictures Classics

End Notes
Amour at Cannes site go here.
Haneke in Cannes go here.
Films du Losange go here.
X Filme Creative Pool go here.
Unifrance go here.

56th David di Donatello Award Winners

A few minutes ago the winners were announced and from press sources will post winners now, as soon as they are post at official site will post direct link to check winners in all categories. Award winners are in *BLUE. To check winners in all categories at official site go here.

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4/13
Today the Accademia del Cinema Italiano announced the nominations for this year and surprisingly there are no comedies in the main categories. Have to comment that this year nominees are truly high quality films and the best is that have seen many, but still there are two or three that now I'm looking forward to watch. These are the nominees in the main categories.

Best Film
Terraferma, Emanuele Crialese
Habemus Papam, Nanni Moretti
This Must Be The Place, Paolo Sorrentino
*Cesare Deve Morire, Paolo and Vittorio Taviani
Romanzo di una Strage, Marco Tulio Giordana

Best Director
Emanuele Crialese for Terraferma
Nanni Moretti for Habemus Papam
Paolo Sorrentino for This Must Be The Place
*Vittorio and Paolo Taviani for Cesare Deve Morire
Ferzan Ozpetek for Magnifica Presenza
Marco Tulio Giordana for Romanzo di una Strage

Best New Director
Alice Rohrwacher for Corpo Celeste
Andrea Segre for Io Sono Li
*Francesco Bruni for Scialla! (Stai sereno)
Guido Lombardi for La-Bas - Educazione Criminale
Stefano Sollima for ACAB all cops are bastards

Best Actress
Donatella Finocchiaro in Terraferma
*Zhao Tao in Io Sono Li
Valeria Golino in La Kryptonite nella Borsa
Claudia Gerini in Il mio Domani
Micaela Ramazzotti in Posti in piedi in Paradiso

Best Actor
*Michel Piccoli in Habemus Papam
Fabrizio Bentivoglio in Scialla! (Stai sereno)
Elio Germano in Magnifica Presenza
Valerio Mastandrea in Romanzo di una Strage

Best European Film
Carnage, Roman Polansky
Melancholia, Lars von Trier
Le Havre, Aki Kaurismaki
*Intouchables, Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano
The Artist, Michel Hazanavicius

Best Foreign Film
Drive, Nicolas Winding Refn
Hugo, Martin Scorsese
*A Separation, Asghar Farhadi
The Tree of Life, Terence Malick
The Ides of March, George Clooney

To check nominees in all categories go here. Awards ceremony will be on May 4tth at Rome's Auditorium Conciliazone.