Asian Film Festival opens in Italian capital

Launched in 2000, Rome's Asian Film Festival is now the most representative Asian film festival in Italy.

77 films in 9 days from 20 Asian countries and regions, Rome's Asian Film Festival celebrated its 14th edition at the "La Pelanda" Contemporary Art Museum in the city on Saturday. The director and founder of the event, Italo Spinelli, defined the festival as a bridge to introduce Asian culture and society to the Italian public.

Italo Spinelli, Director, Asian Film Festival, said, "Basically we try to support independent films and movies made by young people. We want to support their work in European countries as they tell of the reality in their own places. Every year there are surprises and new films."

The opening screening was the film "Ragbar", a masterpiece from director Bahram Bayzaie, made in 1971. The Iranian pioneer director led the revolution of new Iranian cinema at the end of the sixties. A restored version of the film is being screened here.

Francesca Nungo, Audience Member, said, "It's great to find out about other cultures, which sometimes are also part of Italy. So we'd like to understand their reality. This film being screened is an old movie from many years ago. It's been restored and now we can understand very well that film directors are skilled in the Asian world."

The festival, which began in 2000, is supported by the Italian Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the City of Rome and the Lazio Region. This year around 20,000 people are expected to attend the event.