Venice to Honor Production Designer Paola Comencini with Campari Passion for Film Award
The Venice Film Festival will celebrate Italian production designer Paola Comencini with its Campari Passion for Film Award dedicated to film industry figures who, along with the director, contribute to excellence in creating cinematic art.
The long list of feature films and TV series on which Paola Comencini has served as production designer comprises Italy’s smash hit “There’s Still Tomorrow” directed by Paola Cortellesi, groundbreaking TV series “Romanzo Criminale,” and drama “Il tempo che ci vuole,” directed by her sister Francesca Comencini, that will launch from Venice out-of-competition.
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The Venice statement described “Il tempo che ci vuole,” which pays homage to their father Luigi Comencini – the Italian master who made Oscar-nominated Cinema Italiano classic “Bread, Love and Dreams,” with Gina Lollobrigida and Vittorio De Sica – as “a film in which the set design is not only a creative and accurate work but an incredible emotional journey.”
“Throughout her lengthy career as an architect, set designer and costume designer, Paola Comencini has demonstrated a special sensibility in highlighting the distinctive traits of eras and characters, navigating through genres and languages with great rigour and invention,” said Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera in the statement.
“Her remarkable creative spirit allows her to best interpret the spirit of the stories to be brought to the big screen and to enhance each and every character in interior spaces and outdoor environments,” it added.
Previous recipients of the award include U.S. film editor Bob Murawski; Italian cinematographer Luca Bigazzi; U.S. jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard; British production designer Marcus Rowland; U.S. artist and costume designer Arianne Phillips, and Italian production designer Tonino Zera.
The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival will run Aug. 28-Sept. 7.
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