Splendido & Splendido Mare, All Belmond Hotels, Portofino transform the Piazzetta of Portofino into a romantic cinema under the stars, with Alessandro Gassmann

Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino and Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino bring cinema back to the heart of the iconic Piazzetta of Portofino, with Cinema in Blu: three evenings of screenings under the stars organised in collaboration with the Riviera International Film Festival of Sestri Levante. Before the opening screening guests will have the unique opportunity to watch the world premiere of a short film starring Alessandro Gassmann, the creation of which was commissioned by Belmond to the local production company, Flying Donkeys.
 

PORTOFINO YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW

“This is a project that, while it celebrates the historical heritage of Portofino’s grand cinematographic days, it also looks to the future. It’s about a place that, while being located in a corner of paradise nestled between sea and hills, also pays special attention to the world and to the main themes of the times we live in” said Robert Koren, Senior Vice President EMEA at Belmond. It is no coincidence that Belmond has chosen not to screen fiction films, but three documentaries by emerging directors from the RIFF selection that talk about significant messages on sustainability, environmental protection and sociality. A new “committed” glamour that knows how to connect to the world, for a current audience interested in comparison and debate, with points of view from other latitudes. The Piazzetta of Portofino is therefore transformed into a unique and unparalleled stage, ideal to listen to stories, to question oneself, surrounded by a beauty that frames its universal value.


THE SHORT FILM AND THE PARTICIPATION OF ALESSANDRO GASSMANN

Vittorio Gassman deeply loved Portofino and was a loyal guest of the Splendido where his dedication signed in the Golden Book is jealously guarded. "For this reason, his talent, his love for Portofino and his deep involvement in environmental and sustainability issues, the choice of Alessandro Gassman as the protagonist of our short film was for us an obvious choice," concludes Koren. Two generations side by side to celebrate the past and the future of the enchanting village of Portofino, and of the iconic Splendido and the eclectic Splendido Mare. “The stories of my father in the 1960s and of the afternoons on the terrace of the Splendido; the Italy of those times has passed through here and continues to do so, "Gassman declares in the short film. Belmond is thrilled that the launch of the initiative corresponds to the celebrations of Vittorio Gassman's centenary, with the exhibition currently underway at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome which, before becoming itinerant, on 6th July will move to Genoa, which is the city where the actor was born. The production also sees the participation of Ermes De Megni, Ambassador of Splendido and Splendido Mare and of Mino Viacava, born and raised in Portofino, founder of La Portofinese, a unique business born from the desire to not only highlight the Portofino harbour, but also the beauty of its surroundings. Splendido and Splendido Mare have started a fruitful collaboration with this local company through a wide range of experiences offered to guests of both hotels, which are always greatly appreciated by guests. This is of course the sign of an increasingly responsible and informed kind of tourism in the area. In this spirit, the two hotels are proud to announce that the electricity produced by the photovoltaic panels, the mini hydroelectric turbines and the wind turbines of La Portofinese, during the three Cinema in Blu evenings will be used to power the screen and the audio system, making them 100% sustainable.
 

TITLES AND APPOINTMENTS CALENDAR

The three evenings will take place on 13 May, 10 June and 6 July, with the projections starting at around 9pm. The three documentaries - three works by emerging directors chosen by Belmond in order to promote and give visibility to new talents - were chosen from the selection of the Riviera International Film Festival to spark the conversation on topics very relevant in today’s world. Kwando (USA - 2021 Documentary, 46 min) by Kaya Ensor will open on May 13: the story of a young Angolan fisherman, obsessed with his past as a child soldier who chooses to join a team of international scientists to travel on one of the last unexplored rivers of Angola, discovering its destiny in the protection of this natural paradise. June 10 will see the screening of Desert X 2021 - The Film (USA - 2021 Documentary, 56 min) by Dylan Robertson: a behind-the-scenes exploration of the works commissioned by the 12 participating artists from eight countries who have exhibited their works in the desert, experiencing this particular setting not only as a place but also as an idea, for a profound reflection on concepts and social movements necessary for the sustenance of our future. Finally, the calendar will close on 6 July Ride the Wave (UK - 2021 Documentary, 84 min) by Martyn Robertson: the challenge of a 14-year-old surfing champion to the dangerous waves and icy waters of Mullaghmore, Ireland. If he does well, he will join an elite group. If he fails, the consequences will be terrifying. Danger, opportunity, and parental dilemma collide, pushing Ben and his family towards an unknown fate.