Venice, Benigni wins the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. “President Mattarella remains in office”

“When they told me that she would also be there at the Venice Film Festival, I had the same emotion as she did at Wembley when she scored Bonucci, I would like to hug her and kiss her. It has to stay a few more years because it brings us luck ”, these are some of the words that the Oscar winner said Roberto Benigni addressed the Head of State in Venice, where he received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement on the opening night of the Film Festival.

Benigni’s invitation to Mattarella to remain in office even after the expiry of his mandate was explicit. “Stay at least until the next festival or until the World Cup in Qatar“, Specified the director, who received a standing ovation from the public during the award ceremony. “He believes in miracles, like falling in love every day,” the director said on stage Jane Campion, reading the motivation that prompted the jury to award the prize to Benigni, recalling the joy and love he has always communicated. “Thank you Jane, everything will remain in my heart. Unforgettable ”, the director replied in English.

Then the words dedicated to his wife and lifelong partner, Nicoletta Braschi: ”The award I can not dedicate it to the person who learns my mind, as Dante says, to my favorite actress Nicoletta Braschi, this award is his for which you will be the one to dedicate it. We’ve been doing it all together for 40 years, I only know one way to measure time, with or without you. We share this Lion, I take the tail and leave you the wings. If I have done something good it is thanks to your light ”, Benigni said, also recalling all the directors who helped him.

“Many have helped me and I want to remember them, Giuseppe Bertolucci and Vincenzo Cerami and all the directors who have chosen me: Ferrari, Zampa, Bertolucci, Citti, Arbore, Jarmusch, Edwards, Fellini, Allen, Garrone, thanks to all of you “, he added.