Roma Film Festival's 13th Edition: A Diminishing Light

The 13th edition of the Festa del Cinema di Roma, held in October 2018, has been criticized for its declining relevance and lack of public engagement. Despite strong films like 'Beautiful Boy,' 'Green Book,' and 'The Old Man & the Gun,' the festival struggled with empty auditoriums and a lack of city-wide presence. Highlights included Martin Scorsese's masterclass, Cate Blanchett's career retrospective, and the world premiere of 'The Girl in the Spider's Web' on October 24. Political films such as Michael Moore's 'Fahrenheit 11/9' and 'The Hate U Give' addressed Trump, homophobia, and racism. The festival's budget cuts and ten-day duration were seen as excessive, with suggestions to shorten it. Notable events included the restoration of 'L'amore molesto' and the 40th anniversary of 'Halloween.' The festival lacked glamour and international appeal, with most attendees being Italian. Critic Margherita Bordino lamented the absence of a true festival atmosphere.