Aug 19, 2013–The Venice Film Fest will fete Italo helmer Ettore Scola with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker prize, which recognizes innovators in moviemaking.
The prize will be given to Scola at an awards ceremony on Sept. 6 in the Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema. This will be followed by the world premiere of Scola’s “Che strano chiamarsi Federico! Scola racconta Fellini,” which is a tribute to Federico Fellini on the 20th anniversary of his death. The picture plays Out of Competition.
Two Scola films have played in competition in Venice. “Che ora e?” (What Time Is It?) starred Marcello Mastroianni and Massimo Troisi, who were joint winners in 1989 of the Coppa Volpi for best actor. “Romanzo di un giovane povero” earned Isabella Ferrari the Coppa Volpi for supporting actress in 1995.
In 1998, Scola was prexy of the international jury in Venice.
Four of Scola’s films were Oscar-nominated: “Una giornata particolare” (A Special Day) in 1977; “I nuovi mostri” (Viva Italia!) in 1978; “Ballando ballando” (Le Bal) in 1983; and “La Famiglia” (The Family) in 1988.
As a writer, Scola is considered to be a founding fathers of the Italian style of comedy, with pics like “Il sorpasso” (The Easy Life) and “I mostri, Io la conoscevo bene” (I Knew Her Well).
Fest director Alberto Barbera said: “From his beginnings as a satirical writer for ‘Marc’Aurelio,’ to his last, wonderful tribute to his friend Federico Fellini, which will be presented in at the Venice Film Festival this year, Scola has earned recognition as one of the most important authors of Italian cinema. He has contributed significantly to its greatness and to the appreciation it enjoys around the world, first as a screenwriter and then as a director.”
The festival runs Aug. 28 to Sept. 7.