He is known for his role as a teacher at the heart of BTS Communication at Parc Impérial, but Carlo Scibetta has other strings to his bow, and it is one of them that led him, a few years ago, to embark on a film festival project named Cinéalma, which will celebrate its 8th edition this year. And who better than him to tell us about it…
Nice Premium: Carlo Scibetta, an edition with transalpine flavors this year?
Carlo Scibetta: Yes, Italian cinema is in full vitality with young directors who are noted in many festivals. We will have the pleasure of welcoming three: Antonio Piazza and Fabio Grassadonia for the film “Salvo”, which won the Critics’ Prize at Cannes, and Claudio Giovannesi for the film “Ali’s Blue Eyes”, awarded at the Rome International Festival. Also on the schedule are films by great directors: “Anni Felici” by Daniele Luchetti, “La grande Bellezza” by Paolo Sorrentino, and “Human Capital” by Paolo Virzi. And then, as the cherry on the cake, Valeria Golino’s first film “Honey”.
NP: Any good films on the program for this 8th edition?
CS: Yes, in addition to Italian films, we will see the two best Spanish films of the year “Blancanieves” and “Unit 7”, the best Moroccan, Tunisian and Algerian films, and the Palme d’Or at Cannes: “Blue Is the Warmest Color”.
NP: Two prominent female guests, Fanny Ardant and Agnès Jaoui?
CS: Agnès Jaoui will be present for the pre-opening; she will present her musical show “Siempre al Sul”. Fanny Ardent honors us by returning to Cinéalma to present her second film as a director, “Cadences Obstinées”, in a preview.
NP: But besides Italy, tell us also about Spain, the Maghreb, Israel, Palestine, or even Iran?
CS: I already mentioned Spain. Moroccan cinema is characterized by great richness and skill in staging. We will thus discover the three best films of the year highlighted in Tangier: “Zero”, “Malak” and “Women Outside the Law”. “Perfumes of Algiers” will represent Algeria, and “Muffin” and “The Professor” Tunisia. I invite the audience to discover these gripping and poignant films that will leave no one indifferent, and to meet the filmmakers and actors present. This year we will also be able to discover two Israeli films “Youth” and “Rock the Casbah” and the very beautiful Palestinian film “Omar” presented in Cannes. We will present exclusively and for the first time in France the Iranian film “A Bit of Sugar,” which was highly noticed at the Carthage festival.
NP: Cinéalma also supports associations. Tell us about the Nomade association?
CS: Yes, this year it’s the Nomade association, which helps children with leprosy, that will be supported by Cinéalma. On this occasion, we will screen one of the best films from the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes, “The Lunchbox”. The restaurant Le NOORIS in Nice will offer the Indian buffet that precedes the screening of the film.
NP: What will make Cinéalma 2013 a great success?
CS: Of course, the presence of a very diverse audience coming from all the towns of the Alpes Maritimes, who will appreciate the exchanges and meetings with the many filmmakers and actors present. Cinéalma is, of course, about auteur films that are accessible to everyone, and it is especially about a mindset based on values of conviviality, solidarity, and openness to others.
NP: Finally, how is the team doing a few days before the opening?
CS: Very well, confident and eager. The entire team is made up of volunteers who have been involved for months for the great pleasure of spectators who love Mediterranean cinema.
