The region, during the government of Nicola Zingaretti, was the administration that most spent to finance films often with ridiculous collections. From Elio Germano to Edoardo Leo, passing through Dario Argento and Jasmine Trinca, there are many actors and directors who have to thank the former Pd President for his generosity. Paid with public money.
Read Lolita in Tehran? Better in Rome. Do you want to put? Trevi fountain, sparkling air, Bucatini alla Amatriciana. For this reason, while his second mandate turned to the end, the region led by Nicola Zingaretti did not hesitate. The cinematographic transposition of the famous Iranian novel deserved a convinced support: 380 thousand euros. The director, Eran Riklis, said: “In the impossibility of shooting this story in the places of origin, the Tehran of the eighties was reconstructed in Rome. I said to myself: “The films are certainly authenticity, but also creativity, inspiration, open -mindedness” ». Thus, Lazio has been courage. But also the Ministry of Culture supported the company: 490 thousand euros of so -called “selective aid”, in short, at a lost fund. It is almost 1.6 million tax credit, or tax reliefs to producers. For a total that touches 2.5 million. Too bad for the collections: just 240 thousand euros.
“How many times do you see the Lazio region logo in the queues of the films of the films?” He wondered radiant Zingaretti. Let’s venture an answer: too many? To the sound of rustling milosings, he built this overwhelming dominance: not only national, but even continental. «We are the first region in Italy for investments, the third in Europe! And do you know why it’s important? Because it does not only mean supporting good cinema, but creating opportunities for development and work in the area ». Even if Rome becomes Tehran. Zingaretti tripugiava: “We invest over 23 million euros every year to support films in all stages”. Multiply for nine years in power: from 2013 to 2022. You do the astronomical counts. The then president spent without reserve: soul, heart and borsellino. Each region boasts a Commission film, of course. But the Lazio one never had rivals. Did you think that the only sovereign of cinema had been his majesty Dario Franceschini, minister from 2014 to 2021 almost uninterruptedly? Instead, he is not only the standard bearer of UFO films: sometimes committed and always leftist. There is also the unforgettable Nicola: “Er soap”.
A roaring decade, like the Goldwin Mayer metro lion. Perfect association: the governor and the minister. Two men, a destiny: forage every creative jolly. The future secretary and the eternal shadow secretary of the Democratic Party. What a couple. Thus, in those glorious years, the double funding have flourished. That old advertisement with Stefano Accorsi, celebrated actor, turned to: “Two is megl ‘that one”. Indeed: Three. Because to the substantial total of direct help, indirect ones must always be added: the tax credit, in fact. And anyway: the region has not made itself impressed only by the noble names. By Elio Germano, to understand each other. The interpreter who became the symbol of the revolt against Alessandro Giuli, the Minister of Culture who would like to correct the logic of rain concessions.
With admirable pervicacy, region and commission they did not skimp with robust subsidies to the most needy: first or underestimated works. As a fanum, thriller set in Tarquinia: 640 thousand euros, to which to add 300 thousand euros in the ministry. Almost a million, then. And 696.50 euros of collections. In spite of the irreverent title, not even Calcinculo, from the name of the seats of the rides, managed to restore the audience from the torpor. 298 thousand euros are recognized. Another 400 thousand put them Franceschinian experts. Botteghino: 22,346 euros. He did not even skimp with Pantafa, a horror story set in an Abruzzo village, therefore perfect for Lazio expansionist aims. In this case, the support is 494 thousand euros. Another 500 thousand pays the state. The outcome in theaters, once again, is not to the expectation of the initial hopes: 82,792 euros. Similar epilogue for rain, released in 2021. Dal Lazio gets 451 thousand euros. Another 280 thousand euros adds the ministry. Earnings: 81,670 euros.
In the endless list of beneficiaries there are also hundreds of films shot by foreign directors. Between 2016 and 2023, 256 foreign production houses have been informed of munifice, “of 33 countries. The calls have contributed to giving greater visibility to tourist destinations and attracting new visitors of all nationalities ». Let’s take, for example, as before. It is a road movie that starts from Normandy. He gets 305 thousand euros, to which he adds 294 thousand from the ministry. Too bad he saw him only a handful of willing, for a total of 16,549 euros. Or the Brazilian film The bosses cook, an original Estômago 2: 331 thousand euro title, another 250 thousand state, 1,359 of collections.
Obviously, the region led by the future head of the Nazarene in those years decided to support the most celebrated directors as well. For example, 640 thousand euros go to black glasses: shot by Dario Argento and also played by his daughter, Asia. Another 400 thousand adds the ministry. The total, always tax relief aside, therefore exceeds the million euros. However, the box office did not reward the return of the Italian horror master: 169 thousand euros. Changing completely genre: in the list, then published on the official bulletins, an iconic film by Paolo Sorrentino, the unreachable Oscar winner, appears. It is theirs, a caricatural film about Silvio Berlusconi released in spring 2018, while the Knight is still the leader of Forza Italia. The support of the region, led by the one who would become the leader of the Democratic Party, still seems convinced: 600 thousand euros.
Sorrentino is now among the signatories of the appeal to Giuli of directors and actors: “The government listens to the reasons of cinema, is in crisis”. However, the Alfiere della Rivolta against the minister is Germano. Lazio in 2019 also financed fabulous, of which he was the protagonist, with 274 thousand euros. Another 300 thousand grants the ministry. 645 thousand of Tax Credit must then be added. Total full -bodied: over 1.2 million. The collections, however, stop at 183,075 euros. Another paladin of the cause is Edoardo Leo. There is also his signature at the bottom of the accounted appeal. More money is needed for cinema. His left one day in Rome, however, six years ago he gets 460 thousand euros from the region and half a million in the ministry. Almost a million, then. In addition to the usual tax relief. The collections, however, are not exciting: 54 thousand euros. Among the signatories there is also Jasmine Trinca. As he leaves the Quirinale, after the last candidates for David di Donatello, he recalls: «We must continue to support Italian cinema unlocking many productions. Politics should start to really watch this situation. Moreover, however, it is a time so dark for much more tragic things ». Not even the help to Marcel!, His first 2022 film as a director, have refreshed it. Almost 432 thousand euros from the Lazio Region and 490 thousand euros from the Ministry. And stops still at 39,687 euros.
Already. “How many times do you see the Lazio region logo in the queues of the films of the films?” Zingaretti wondered. Immense list, in fact. We even saw that logo in the tail titles of Siberia, directed by the American director Abel Ferrara. The title is not imaginative. The plot is consequent. Clint, played by William Defoe, is a tormented man. He retired to an isolated shack among the ice, in the hope of finding serenity. For this, the film was shot at the Upper-Adige. At 1,600 meters high. The fiery Zingarettian experts did not let themselves be impressed. They too, accustomed to much more mild climates, wanted to contribute: 402 thousand euros. Dreaming of the freshness of the Val Pusteria.
