Ciampi: "The Italian film industry is in good health"
"There is encouraging data, which signals the vitality and wealth of the film world, the symbol and icon of Italian creativity". Italian President of the Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi is optimistic and this morning at the Quirinale received the nominees for the David di Donatello awards (see news) together with Minister of Culture Rocco Buttiglione.
According to Ciampi, the entertainment industry "in all its multiple forms of expression is also a measure of the economy and labour, through the European cultural industry: a common situation that can develop sinergies and increase the spread of cultural products". In this regard, Ciampi cited several significant numbers: "Overall in regards to European productions, the number of films, admissions and screens active for over 120 days of the year have increased. In 2005, one in four spectators chose an Italian film, with a rise in respect to 2004 of approximately 2.5m admissions and box office earnings of over €15m". Furthermore, there is "a decrease in the share of non-European films in Italy, to the advantage of domestic titles".
The star of the morning was Nanni Moretti, who commented on the change in government: "I now hope in a competent person and only the Minister of Culture. It has happened in the past, albeit rarely".
(Translated from Italian)
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