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Rosario Errico’s short film Grazie Michele will compete for the Academy Award® for Best Live Action Short Film at the 96th Academy Awards®.
The award-winning short film produced by Immagine Corporation Production and Rai Cinema, distributed by Voce Spettacolo, will represent Italy after passing the qualifying program in Los Angeles.
This prestigious award underscores the director’s extraordinary talent and the exceptional work behind the making of this remarkable film project.
The film, which was distributed by Voce Spettacolo and screened for seven consecutive days at the Lumiere Cinema in Beverly Hills from Sept. 15-21, caught the attention of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences thanks to its compelling narrative, Rosario Errico’s masterful direction and the cast’s superlative performances, and is now in the running for one of the most prestigious awards in the film world.
This award is the result of the hard work, creativity and commitment of an exceptional team that worked tirelessly to bring to light a unique and engaging story. The success of “Grazie Michele” once again demonstrates the exceptional talent present in the Italian film industry and the ability to create works that leave a lasting impression.
The short film “Grazie Michele” among other awards won the International Festival Tulips of Black Silk (co-organized by Rai Cinema) and later the prestigious Golden Globe, awarded by the Foreign Press. He is awaiting the outcomes of the David di Donatello and Nastri d’Argento awards. Last month he received the Padre Pio Award, given to personalities who have distinguished themselves in the social sphere, including Minister Piantedosi.
“In remembering the Masters: Fellini, Pasolini, Tornatore, Pupi Avati,” declares Rosario Errico, “we like to communicate with great modesty, that for Grazie Michele we were inspired by the poetic, simple, dreamy, realistic and emotional dramaturgy of their great works. To tell with simplicity, the poetry of a typical day lived by two disabled boys who seek their social inclusion by making it clear that they do not consider themselves differently abled but differently able. For a theme as important as “Diversity,” we wanted and obtained the collaboration of actors and technicians who have worked with the great directors mentioned above in order to be able to give the maximum echo to the theme dealt with, through their great professionalism and sensitivity.“
But now to the dates: the shortlist that will include the fifteen best international short films selected by the Academy will be announced on December 21, 2023. The nominations will be announced on January 23, 2023. Oscar Night will be held on March 10, 2024.
Synopsis
Michele is a boy with Down syndrome who loves to live life cheerfully and carefree, always smiling in the face of fate. With his inseparable friend Adriano, a paraplegic teenager who is always sad because of his handicap. Adriano is secretly in love with the beautiful Loredana, accompanied by his friend Michele, every opportunity is good to see her or spend time with her. Raids along the main ia on board an Ape driven by Michele provoke funny gags and scenes romance, such as the almost sanctified vision of the teenager with whom Adrian is in love. The barber’s store, the townspeople’s meeting place, is the scene of all-too-playful exchanges of jokes, so much so that they drive the town crazy Michele’s father, a carabinieri marshal who continually complains about his son’s too much liveliness. It will be Adriano’s mother who will open the marshal’s eyes, revealing the importance of the figure of Michele, a source of joy and positivity and a symbol of equality among people. In a world where the “differently abled” do not feel included, Michele will show that with a smile and selflessness one can teach others a great deal, and like a young Cyrano de Bergerac, he will try to transform the sadness of his paraplegic friend Adriano into joy and love of life. Through their purity, sympathy, intelligence and selflessness for others, they will prove that they do not feel “Differently Abled” but “Abled Differently.” Down kids who will teach us that with a simple smile you can change your life.
The Cast.
Antonella Ponziani, Maestro Federico Fellini’s last muse, stars in the film “The Interview.” She has worked with other important directors, including Mario Monicelli, Dino Risi, and Paolo Virzì. Among her many awards, she has won a David di Donatello and a Nastro d’ Argento.
Andrea Roncato, winner of the special award for the TV series “Carabinieri.” Multifaceted actor: comic, brilliant. His last film work was a dramatic role in Maestro Pupi Avati’s film.
Valerio Catoia, co-star of the film, is a boy with Down syndrome. He was named an Ensign of the Republic by Italian President Sergio Mattarella for saving a girl who was drowning at sea. A Hero of our times, a great example for many young people. He was also named an Honorary Policeman by Police Chief Dr. Giannini. He is a Paralympic athlete of the Golden Flames, in the specialty “Canoe” kayak k1. A guy who gives his all to defend the most vulnerable people, actively fighting alongside the Postal Police for the awareness campaign on the conscious use of the web and the fight against online hatred.
Andrea Salcone, co-protagonista del film, affetto dalla sindrome di Down, frequenta una scuola di recitazione e danza per ragazzi disabili. È un ragazzo gioioso e spensierato che aspira a diventare un attore.
Blasco Giurato, Direttore della Fotografia, ha lavorato per i più importanti registi internazionali. Tra i tanti premi ricevuti, ha ottenuto tre nomination agli Oscar, tra cui “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso” di Giuseppe Tornatore. Ha ricevuto anche una nomination ai BAFTA. Tra i vari registi con cui ha lavorato: Dino Risi, Giuliano Montaldo, Lina Wertmuller, Pupi Avati.
Ugo De Rossi montatore, tra i vari film ha collaborato con il Maestro Federico Fellini, montando il film “Ginger e Fred”, per il quale ha vinto, tra gli altri premi, un Ciak d’Oro e una nomination al David di Donatello. Ha ottenuto inoltre un’ulteriore nomination al David di Donatello per il film “Palermo Milano Solo Andata”. Ha collaborato al montaggio del film “Salò” del poeta Pier Paolo Pasolini.
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