Matteo Garrone said he was savouring
the "historic" success of his 2019 adaptation of Pinocchio after
it won two Oscar nominations - for Best Costume Design and Best
Makeup and Hairstyling.
The director refused to be drawn into the debate about why the
film, which stars Roberto Benigni as Gepetto, had not been been
chosen to be Italy's candidate for the best foreign-language
Academy Award.
"The last thing I would do at the moment is to cause a row
because Pinocchio wasn't Italy's Oscar candidate," Garrone said
at the presentation of a new-edition version of his
award-winning 2008 film about the Neapolitan mafia, Gomorra.
"I would never do that, it would be bad taste.
"But I am enjoying the happiness of two historic nominations for
an independent Italian film, without a platform or a major
behind it, without anyone pushing it in Hollywood.
"It is a truly unique thing.
"You have to go back 50 years to see an Italian film take this
path.
"I'm really happy for the whole team.
"No matter how things go, it will be wonderful to be there on
the evening of April 25".
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