The most smiling event of the year come back to Monaco to highlight the most adventurous, unpublished, surreal but real aspects of life, so unpredictable, complex and at the same time full of meetings and unforgettable moments. The 20th edition of the Monte Carlo Film Festival de la Comédie, under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Italian Embassy, designed and directed by Ezio Greggio, will be held from 24 to 29 April 2023 at the iconic Grimaldi Forum in the Principality of Monaco.
The sense of humour is the key to growing and becoming aware of our actions until we have the power to improve society and make it more sustainable. This film festival is unique by offering the public the opportunity to watch international film productions that show how humour is interpreted in a thousand facets worldwide. The film parade will end with the most popular Awards Gala and Ceremony on Saturday the 29th April, in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.
All films in competition and out of competition share the sense of the inner and outer journey to the sound of life beats expressing the opposite feelings of love and hatred, the two sides of our existence. This year’s leitmotif is the road-movie within eleven comedies from Argentina to Ukraine passing through Europe and the United States. The Technical Jury will be chaired by Giancarlo Giannini, international actor, doubler, screenwriter and film director who recently received the star of the Walk of Fame. The members of the Jury are: Richard Anconina, French actor; Nathalie Poza, international star, and Neri Marcorè, actor, singer and doubler.
The Gala show will be presented by Ezio Greggio, accompanied by Elenoire Casalegno, welcoming a series of special guests gathered in Monaco for the occasion. Costa-Gavras, the Greek film director and producer, naturalised French, will be given the Legend Award for his 54-year successful career. Mira Sorvino, Academy Award winner, will be acknowledged with the MCFF Award for her career. The most popular Italian actress, Anna Foglietta and president of the non-profit association Every Child is My Child will be awarded as the Best Actress of the Year. This year’s Next Generation Award will go to Federico Cesari for his role in “Tutto chiede salvezza” (Everything asks for salvation), exclusive Netflix mini-series, adaptation of the homonymous book by Daniele Mencarelli, focusing on a very delicate subject: mental health and human weakness.
Marco D'Amore, film director, actor and screenwriter will receive the MCFF Award "for his extraordinary successes in series and cinema". Marco Giallini, the Italian award-winning actor will receive the MCFF Career Award. Victor Belmondo, promising French actor who is following in the footsteps of his paternal grandfather, the paramount Jean Paul Belmondo, will be on stage together with Piero Chiambretti, Barbara D'Urso, Mario De La Rosa (La Casa de Papel), who comes back to the Festival after having been part of the technical Jury two years ago.
COMPETING FILMS
38°5 Quai Des Orfèvres by Benjamin Lehrer (France, 2022, 84’).
🗓 25th April - 4 p.m. 📍Salle Camille Blanc - Grimaldi Forum.
Daniel’s gotta die by Jeremy LaLonde (Canada, Îles Caïmans 2022, 91’).
🗓 25th April - 8 p.m. 📍Salle Camille Blanc - Grimaldi Forum.
Fædre og Mødre (Fathers and Mothers) by Paprika Steen (Danmark, 2021, 96’)
🗓 26th April - 11 a.m. 📍Salle Camille Blanc - Grimaldi Forum.
Mielensäpahoittaja Eskorttia etsimässä (The Grump: In Search of An Escort) by Mika Kaurismäki (Finland, Germany, 2022, 109’).
🗓 26th April - 4 p.m. 📍Salle Camille Blanc - Grimaldi Forum.
Historias para no contar (Stories Not to Be Told) by Cesc Gay (Spain, 2022, 100’).
🗓 26th April - 8 p.m. 📍Salle Camille Blanc - Grimaldi Forum.
Luxembourg, Luxembourg by Antonio Lukich (Ukraine, 2022, 105‘).
🗓 27th April - 11 a.m. 📍Salle Camille Blanc - Grimaldi Forum.
El Test (The Test) by Dani De La Orden (Espagne, 2022, 105’).
🗓 27th April - 4 p.m. 📍Salle Camille Blanc - Grimaldi Forum.
Empieza el Baile (Let the Dance Begin) by Marina Seresesky (Argentina, Spain, 2022, 99’).
27th April - 8 p.m. 📍Salle Camille Blanc - Grimaldi Forum.
OUT OF COMPETITION
El Cuarto pasajero (Four's a Crowd) by Álex de la Iglesia (Spain, 2022, 99’).
28th April - 4 p.m. 📍Salle Camille Blanc - Grimaldi Forum.
Grosso guaio all'Esquilino - La leggenda del Kung Fu (Kung Fu Italian Style) by YouNuts! (Italy, 2023, 90’).
Opening projection: 24th April - 8 p.m. 📍Salle Camille Blanc - Grimaldi Forum.
Un matrimonio mostruoso (A Freaking Wedding) by Volfango De Biasi (Italy, 2023, 100’)
Opening projection: 28th April - 8 p.m. 📍Salle Camille Blanc - Grimaldi Forum.
To know more about the Monte Carlo Film Festival de la Comédie please visit: MCFF
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By Maurice Abbati
Springer International Publishing
