Another Newport Beach Film Fest has gone, with its showcase of films, cartoons and documentaries from all over the world. Internationally recognized as one of the leading film festivals in the US, the one of Newport Beach is not only an occasion to showcase production from the most different countries, but also a way to promote cultural understanding and to enrich educational opportunities.
And so, for the 14th time, Newport turned into a set for screenings, red carpets, parties, but also cultural meetings and forums, for an entire week; all in the beautiful location of Orange County’s gem.
Once again the festival hosted a night dedicated to Italy. This year’s selection was “Immature. The Trip”, sequel of “Immature”, whic was presented at the last year’s edition of the festival. Everything was ready for a night at the movie theatre: popcorn, coke, and the red chairs of a Fifties style room, before starting to dream of the Mediterranean sea.
The film, in fact, is set in the Greek island of Paros, where a group of high school friends – now in their thirties – decide to spend a week, trying to recreate the atmosphere of the times gone. Between unexpected situations, misunderstandings and laughs, the vacation will turn into an occasion to deal with their own life, to face problems and (finally) the adult age, and to rediscover the importance of human relationships.
Even if at a first glance “Immature” seems a typical “commedia all’italiana”, as IIC director Alberto Di Mauro said, it also offers interesting hints on friendship, the passing of time and the necessity to change and grow up. Alberto Di Mauro also underlined the importance of the Italian presence at the festival, as another way to promote Italian cinema in the US, thanks to the collaboration of the Italian Cultural Institute, the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Trade Commission.
Many Italians crowded the theatre for the screening and it was not hard to identify them! Being there was like being in Italy for a night: from the film, to the ways of saying (sometimes really hard to translate into English), from the many groups of friends in the room to the after screening. Yes, the night didn’t end with the film: at 10.30 pm, the Newport Beach Film festival welcomed the guests to a party at Fashion Island, right in front of the theatre. Colored lights, a choreography featuring contortionists and acrobats, music to dance, drinks and food. Here, Italy finally met the US. There’s nothing better than a party to mix and match different cultures and different people. For a night, Newport recreated a festive, relaxed atmosphere that reminded of our Dolce Vita…maybe a little more animated.
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