ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Judy Garland, John Travolta, and Climate Cinema at Rome Film Fest

festival-fair · 2026-05-04

The 14th Festa del Cinema di Roma featured John Travolta in an 'Incontro Ravvicinato' and the premiere of 'The Fanatic.' Travolta cited James Cagney, Sophia Loren, Fellini, Bertolucci, the Beatles, and Marlon Brando as figures he might have stalked. The festival also highlighted 'Interdependence,' a film composed of 11 short films on climate change, including one by Silvio Soldini on urban air pollution. Producer Adelina von Furstenberg expressed hope the shorts would reach wide audiences and inspire other artists. The Dardenne brothers presented 'L’età giovane' (Young Ahmed), which won Best Director at Cannes, inspired by the Paris attacks and exploring youth radicalization. Rupert Goold's 'Judy' stars Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland, focusing on her final months and 1969 London concert. Zellweger's performance is praised as Oscar-worthy.

Key facts

  • John Travolta attended the Festa del Cinema di Roma for an 'Incontro Ravvicinato' and to present 'The Fanatic.'
  • Travolta named James Cagney, Sophia Loren, Fellini, Bertolucci, the Beatles, and Marlon Brando as potential stalker targets.
  • 'Interdependence' is a film of 11 short films on climate change, including one by Silvio Soldini on urban air pollution.
  • Producer Adelina von Furstenberg said of 'Interdependence': 'It's just the beginning, we hope these shorts reach as many people as possible and infect other artists.'
  • The Dardenne brothers' 'L’età giovane' (Young Ahmed) won Best Director at Cannes and was inspired by the Paris attacks.
  • Rupert Goold's 'Judy' stars Renée Zellweger as Judy Garland, focusing on her last months and 1969 London concert.
  • Zellweger's performance in 'Judy' is described as Oscar-worthy, with precise appearance, movements, and vocal tones.
  • Judy Garland died at age 47.
  • The Festa del Cinema di Roma took place at the Auditorium Parco della Musica.
  • Alice nella Città presented the Dardenne brothers' film to young audiences.

Entities

Artists

  • John Travolta
  • James Cagney
  • Sophia Loren
  • Federico Fellini
  • Bernardo Bertolucci
  • The Beatles
  • Marlon Brando
  • Liz Taylor
  • Ingmar Bergman
  • Renée Zellweger
  • Judy Garland
  • Liza Minnelli
  • Silvio Soldini
  • Adelina von Furstenberg
  • Jean-Pierre Dardenne
  • Luc Dardenne
  • Rupert Goold
  • Margherita Bordino

Institutions

  • Festa del Cinema di Roma
  • Auditorium Parco della Musica
  • Alice nella Città
  • Cannes Film Festival
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Paris
  • France

Sources