capri

Lady Monika Bacardi, Andrea Iervolino, Andrea Bocelli, Toby Sebastian and Roberto Sessa

The Award Will Be Presented to the Film’s Producers, Screenwriter and Cast Members

At Ceremonies on December 30^th in Anacapri

Today the Board of the Capri in the World Institute today announced that “The Music of Silence,” Michael Radford’s Italian language film about the early life of the world renown tenor Andrea Bocelli, will receive the ‘Capri - Biopic of the Year - Award’ at the 22nd edition of Capri, Hollywood – The International Film Festival, which takes place here from December 27, 2017 through January 2, 2018. The award will be accepted by producers and Ambi Group principals Andrea Iervolino and Lady Monika Bacardi, co-screenwriter Anna Pavignano and cast members Toby Sebastian, Luis Ranieri, Ennio Fastastichini  and Jordi Molla, at ceremonies on December 29^th at Cinema Paradiso in Anacapri, Italy.

Directed and co-written by Radford (“Il Postino,” “The Merchant of Venice”), a two-time Oscar®-nominee, the Ambi Media Group and Picomedia production was filmed in Rome and Tuscany. It chronicles the life of a young Bocelli, who was born with a serious eye condition that eventually leads to his blindness. But Bocelli nevertheless rises above the challenges, driven by great ambitions towards his passion and becomes a global musical superstar. Ambi financed the film in which Antonio Banderas also stars and is handling world sales. 

In making the announcement, the noted Italian filmmaker and Festival Board Member Marina Cicogna said: “We are extremely pleased to honor this enchanting film about the early life of our dear friend Andrea Bocelli, which was brought to the screen by Michael Radford, Andrea Iervolino and Lady Monika Bacardi, each of whom has a long history with our festival. It’s based on his memoir in which Bocelli tells his own story in the form of an autobiographical novel, and has a cast of top tier Italian actors. We’re certain it will entertain audiences as it rolls out to cinemas throughout the world.”

Tony Renis, songwriter, music producer and honorary president of the Capri in the Word Institute added: “Having worked with Bocelli throughout his career, I can attest to the authenticity of the story and the way in which it chronicles his beginnings and his rise to stardom. As an added plus, the film features songs that Bocelli composed when he was young but have never before been released, which takes it to a higher level of motion picture entertainment. Our board unanimously chose to honor it, which delights me very much.”

The following awards have previously been announced for this year’s edition of Capri Hollywood: “A Ciambra” director Jonas Carpignano  was named the Festival’s ‘Rising Star’;   “Cinderella the Cat” by  Alessandro Rak, Ivan Cappiello, Marino Guarnieri and Dario Sansone  is the ‘Best European Animation Movie”; “Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of our Lives” is the Best Documentary Film'; British filmmaker Trudie Styler will be receive the “Person of the Year” Award.

The 22nd edition of the Capri, Hollywood - The International Film Fest will be co-chaired by the Oscar®-winning Italian make-up artist Alessandro Bertolazzi and Israeli is dedicated to the beauty and talent of Elizabeth Taylor. The festival traditionally offers a fundamental contribution to the season of the global Awards, bringing celebrities and awaited film productions to the Gulf of Naples.

Since 1995 Capri Hollywood has promoted tourism in southern Italy during the winter highlighting new ideas for recreation and exploration of the region; the event has the support of the Italian Ministry of Culture, (Cinema Division) and of the Municipality of Anacapri.