‘Pinocchio’ and Laura Pausini represent Italy in the 2021 Oscar race

‘Pinocchio’ and Laura Pausini represent Italy in the 2021 Oscar race

Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, and Best Original Song, these the Academy Awards that may land in Italy

The Belpaese will be present at the 2021 Academy Awards in two categories. Matteo Garrone’s ‘Pinocchio’ received two Oscar nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup. While Laura Pausini’s ‘Io sì (Seen)’, from ‘The Life Ahead’ _(original title ‘_La vita davanti a sé’), is nominated for Best Original Song.

Matteo Garrone’s ‘Pinocchio’ received two Oscar nominations, while Laura Pausini’s ‘Io sì (Seen)’ is nominated for Best Original Song

Garrone’s movie was nominated for the costumes designed by Massimo Cantini Parrini and the makeup by Briton Mark Coulier, Dalia Colli, and Francesco Pegoretti. ‘Pinocchio’ was co-written, directed and co-produced by Garrone, and based on the 1883 classic book ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ by Carlo Collodi. In the cast, there are Federico Ielapi as Pinocchio, Roberto Benigni as Geppetto, Rocco Papaleo and Massimo Ceccherini as The Cat and the Fox, and Marine Vacth as the adult Fairy with Turquoise Hair. Also, great comedian and actor Gigi Proietti made his final appearance as Mangiafuoco before his death in November 2020. ‘Pinocchio’, Garrone’s passion project received positive reviews from critics as well as 15 nominations at the 2020 David di Donatello Awards. Of them, it won five: Best Sets and Decorations, Best Costumes, Best Makeup, Best Hair Design, and Best Visual Effects.

‘The Life Ahead,’ starring Oscar winner Sophia Loren, is directed by her son, Edoardo Ponti. Diane Warren wrote the original English-language version of ‘Io Sì (Seen)’ specifically for Ponti’s movie, with Pausini and Niccolò Agliardi composing the Italian version. The __powerful ballad already won a Golden Globe award for Best Original Song. Dedicating her victory to Italy, Pausini also paid tribute to Loren: “All my gratitude and respect for the wonderful Sophia Loren, it was an honour to give voice to your character, to convey such an important message, of welcome and unity.” While Loren is to be honoured by the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the seven-storey building located on the ‘Miracle Mile’ that is due to open next September. There, Loren will receive the inaugural ‘Visionary Award,’ which acknowledges an “extensive body of work [that] has advanced the art of cinema.”

Ilona Catani Scarlett