Roberto Benigni is the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement of the 78th Venice International Film Festival.
The motivation of the Biennale ...
The Biennale announces this through the words of the director of the exhibition Alberto Barbera.
"Since its inception, which took place under the banner of an innovative and disrespectful wave of rules and traditions, Roberto Benigni has established himself in the panorama of Italian entertainment as a reference figure, unprecedented and unparalleled. Alternating his appearances on theatrical stages, film sets and television studios with surprising results from time to time, he has imposed himself on everyone by virtue of his exuberance and impetuousness, the generosity with which he gives himself to the public and the passionate joyfulness that constitutes the figure. perhaps more original than his creations.
With admirable eclecticism, without ever giving up on being himself, he went from taking on the role of one of the most extraordinary comedians in the rich gallery of Italian performers, to those of a memorable director capable of making films of enormous popular impact, to transform most recently in the most appreciated interpreter and popularizer of Dante's 'Divine Comedy'".
… And Roberto Benigni's reaction to the news of the prestigious award
"My heart is filled with joy and gratitude. It is an immense honor to receive such high recognition for my work from the Venice International Film Festival ”.
Roberto Benigni and his beginnings ingenious
The motivation for Roberto Benigni's Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement is a splendid compendium of a great career of one of our most brilliant and original artists.
Forty-five years have passed since that distant and unforgettable Sunday in 1976 when another genius of the show, Renzo Arbore, made it known to the general public.
Exactly it was March 28, 1976 and the transmission was screwed "The other Sunday”And was broadcast on the Network 2. Why was it called“ L'altra Sunday ”? because he went to clash with the guide broadcast on Sunday afternoon, "Sunday in”Which was broadcast on Rete 1, conducted by Corrado.
It was one way other to make a show. Goliardia, sympathy, imagination and much more than a pinch of madness represented the splendid cocktail to be served on Sunday after lunch.
Many young faces, who would then have had an important path in the world of entertainment.
To name just a few, let's think about Milly Carlucci, the Flag Sisters, Isabella Rossellini and, of course, Roberto Benigni, in the role of an unlikely film critic, sitting in front of a lamp that went on and off intermittently and forced the critic to give her terrifying slaps to keep it on.
A great career
As a good day starts in the morning, so pure talent can be understood in the blink of an eye. From the experience of "The other Sunday" onwards it has been a crescendo of experiences they have had explode a crystalline talent in all fields of entertainment. Theater, Cinema, Television have enjoyed the talent of the Tuscan elf, they appreciated his spontaneity, obviously his sympathy, but, above all, that extraordinary quality that makes, very often, some artists UNIQUE or knowing how to give emotions.
Roberto Benigni thrilled us in many situations, different in ways, identical in substance. It would be too easy to cite the poignant genius of "Life is Beautiful”, When the greatest tragedy humanity has ever known is turned into a great game. Instead, it comes spontaneously, almost natural, especially in this period dedicated to the great poet Dante Alighieri, remember his wonderful performances of the songs of the Divine Comedy. Recite from memory and often bathed with tears of deep emotion for the unparalleled wonder of those verses.
Roberto Benigni is this. The actor capable of making you laugh with even ferocious political satire or with mouth-watering jokes of a sexual nature. Roberto Benigni is also, however, the one able to excite you by narrating an episode of his life, remembering missing artists to whom he was very attached or simply singing a song, perhaps accompanied by the great master. Nicola Piovani. Roberto Benigni is there fantasy who never stops running after you, who wants to reach you and walk with you to give your life, and everyone's life, a touch of brilliant unpredictability.
Roberto Benigni is our greatest antidepressant. Thank you for being here.
