Acclaimed Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore will receive the Golden Globes Prize for Documentary in Partnership with Artemis Rising Foundation for his film Brunello: The Gracious Visionary. The award honours an artist whose work “demonstrates exceptional creative merit and the potential to inspire positive social change.” It will be presented at the 72nd Taormina Film Festival, which runs in Sicily beginning June 10.
Brunello: The Gracious Visionary chronicles the life of fashion mogul Brunello Cucinelli, who grew a multi-billion dollar empire while remaining true to his roots as a farmer’s son. The documentary tells how the so-called “King of Cashmere” built a luxury brand through understated aesthetics. It premiered in December in Italy before continuing its run this year and explores Cucinelli’s work and philosophy through a mix of traditional vérité and re-enactments.
The film marks the latest non-fiction work for Tonatore, who is best known for his Oscar and Golden Globe winning drama Cinema Paradiso. Tonatore previously directed the documentary Ennio about acclaimed composer Ennio Morricone. The film won three David Di Donatello Awards including Best Documentary, the Italian Golden Globe for Best Documentary, and the jury prize at Toronto’s Lavazza IncluCity Festival. (Full disclosure: I was on the festival’s jury.)
“We are honoured to partner with the Taormina Film Festival and Artemis Rising Foundation to recognize Giuseppe Tornatore, a filmmaker whose work has had a profound impact on audiences around the world,” said Golden Globes’ president Helen Hoehne in a release. “Brunello: The Gracious Visionary reflects his continued dedication to storytelling that is both visually compelling and deeply human. We are proud to celebrate his contributions to documentary filmmaking at this year’s festival.”
“What a thrill it is to lift up the art and craft of Giuseppe Tornatore. His signature Cinema Paradiso and pioneering Dolce & Gabbana short films starring Sofia Loren have left a generational imprint, capturing the essence of Italian heritage and beauty for audiences around the world,” added Regina K. Scully, founder and CEO of Artemis Rising Foundation.
The award presented at the Taormina Film Festival comes on the heels of the Globes’ recognition of the documentary Groundswell by Joshua Tickell and Rebecca Tickell at Cannes. It’s the latest in a partnership between the Golden Globes and Artemis Rising to honour non-fiction film throughout key stops on the festival circuit.
