Franco Nero is to be the Italian cinematic ambassador to Washington for the occasion of the 4th edition of Washington, Italia – The Italian Film Festival, to take place in the American capital from October 11 through 16. The prestigious annual event is produced by the Capri in the World Institute (in collaboration with Rai Trade, Cinecittà Holding, Aip-Film Italia, Promuovi Italia and the Chamber of Commerce of Naples) in concurrence with the week of Italian-American celebrations promoted by the National Italian American Foundation. Franco Nero will inaugurate Washington, Italia 2005 with the film “Forever Blues” - on Tuesday October 11 at 7 p.m. - for which he took on the role of director and producer in addition to his usual involvement as an actor. The world-premiere event is to mark a new stage in the career of the internationally loved artist, building on his part work in more than 140 films. “I am particularly honored by such an invitation,” said the popular Puglian actor, “because now more than ever there is a need to promote Italian cinematic art abroad. With the advent of globalization,” added Nero, “today, more than ever, we can perceive the profound cultural change occurring and our artistic industry must participate in the movement, always reaching out more abroad with activities like Washington, Italia, aimed at precise objectives like our compatriots on the other side of the ocean,” concluded the seasoned actor who was previously a Golden Globe nominee for his work in “Camelot” (1967). The complete program of Washington, Italia 2005 will also include: special screenings at the Loews Georgetown Theatre of some of the most important Italian works of the year (still in the scheduling process); a tribute to the legendary Marcello Mastroianni, with special screenings of some of his greatest masterworks; conversations between the stars of contemporary Italian cinema and the students of Georgetown University and the University of Maryland; a gala for the Italian cinema at the MPAA headquarters (the union of American producers that was presided over by Italian-American Jack Valenti for more than 20 years); a conference on the Italian cinema at the National Press Club; and the involvement of Italy’s greatest artists at NIAF’s grand gala on Saturday, October 15 at the Washington Hilton Hotel.

(Source:Istituto Capri nel Mondo))