The relationship between cinema and terrorism is one of the main issues the 2006 Taormina FilmFest will focus on next week. The 52nd edition of this beautiful Sicilian town's movie bonanza, which runs June 20-25, features a preview screening of Paul Greengrass' United 93.
This is the hotly awaited story of the fourth plane al Qaeda terrorists hijacked on September 11, 2001, and of the bravery of its passengers and crew, who died preventing the flight reaching its target. Organizers say the movie will spark discussions on the subject of cinema and terrorism involving directors, critics and the public.
Among the issues addressed will be the ethics of using such painful and recent events for the commercial enterprise of movie-making. No one knows what actually happened on United Airlines flight 93 from New York to San Francisco, for example, so can it be right to make a film in which the lines between fiction and reality are inevitably blurred?
In what ways does cinema's use of terror as subject matter glamorize and possibly encourage it? Does cinema give the terrorists' point of view fair treatment?
As well as being one of Italy's oldest festivals, Taormina is also widely respected for the quality of major and independent movies it manages to attract. There will be previews of Bandidas, starring Hispanic pairing Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek, and The Sentinel, with Michael Douglas in the role of a secret agent who must head off an assassination attempt on the president.
The event has the unique backdrop of the town's fabulous Greek amphitheatre. Nevertheless, it keeps its feet on the ground and is not usually a fertile hunting ground for star-watchers.
"There will be no international stars as they only travel on very expensive private jets," explained Director Felice Laudario. "Only the majors and the richer festivals can afford them". Laudario is having to contend with the loss of the
festival's main sponsor, the BNL bank, this year.
BNL has switched to the new Rome Film Festival, which will have its debut edition in October, taking 500,000 euros - half of Taormina's overall budget - with it. The main festival competition sees 14 of the best Italian feature and documentary productions of the season face off for the Nastri d'Argento (Silver Ribbons) awards.
There is a competition for international shorts too.
Budding screenwriters, directors and actors will have the chance to develop their talents thanks to a series of cinema workshops. These will be given by, among others, Italy's favourite comedy actor-director Carlo Verdone, celebrated Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Zanussi and Argentine soundtrack composer Luis Bacalov.
On the final evening of the festival, the restored version of Rupert Julian's 1925 The Phantom of the Opera will be presented at the Greek amphitheatre.
