The curtain has been lifted on the flagship event of the Menton region, which will take place from February 13 to March 2. Onward to Cinecittà!
After three years dedicated to Jules Verne, from Around the World in 80 Days to The Adventures of a Lemon in China, passing through 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the festival closes the book on fantasy.
But not on the extraordinary, as the choice for the 2016 theme turns to Cinecittà. It embodies the dream and nostalgia of 1950s and 60s Italian cinema, that “golden age” which, thanks to the genius talent of Visconti, Fellini, and others like Sergio Leone, has left a lasting impression on several generations of cinephiles. And it continues to captivate today.
Cinecittà in Menton is both a light theme and a symbol of an era that understood the flair for the adventurous, but above all, realism. The art of appreciating life’s moments in all their colors.
This “journey to Italy” will begin the day before Valentine’s Day in the Biovès Gardens and will continue throughout the festival, offering a varied promenade among the masterpieces of Italian cinema. The citrus motifs representing them will be inspired by dramatic films such as Amarcord, comedies, epic films like Cleopatra, or even spaghetti westerns.
As night falls, these same places will be adorned with magical colors thanks to the Gardens of Lights (February 16, 19, 23, and 26 at 8:30 PM). They will immerse visitors-spectators in the intimate and cozy ambiance of neighborhood cinemas. Under the lights and the actors’ performances, the citrus decorations will come alive and light up, caressed by the soundtracks of Ennio Morricone or Nino Rota. A fantastic moonlit stroll.
But what would the Lemon Festival be without its parades of golden fruits? An unmissable event, which has made the festival one of the most important on the French Riviera! Spectators will flock to the entrances to witness the spectacle of marching bands, street performers, and atmosphere creators, swirling among the citrus floats.
A tribute to clowns or to Fellini’s La Strada, the parades will once again be a delightful interlude. They will feature two night parades on Thursday, February 18 and 25 at 8:30 PM, followed by fireworks. The scene is set, all that’s left is to book your tickets. So, Ciao and see you in February!
