The 49th edition of the Laceno d’Oro is about to begin, and it’s time to start unveiling the program. This year, the festival pays tribute to one of the most talented actors and authors on the Italian and international scene: Valerio Mastandrea.
He rose to fame in 1998 with L’Odore della Notte by Claudio Caligari, for whom he also produced Non essere cattivo(2015). Mastandrea is one of the most beloved and versatile figures in both auteur and popular cinema. A sensitive performer for directors such as Marco Bellocchio (Fai bei sogni, 2016), Abel Ferrara (Pasolini, 2014; Zeros and Ones, 2021), Claudio Giovannesi (Fiore, 2016), and Daniele Gaglianone (Ruggine, 2011; La mia classe, 2013), he has starred in successful films like Perfetti sconosciuti by Paolo Genovese (2016), the Diabolik series by the Manetti Bros., and the acclaimed C’è ancora domani by Paola Cortellesi (2023).
Mastandrea ventured behind the camera in 2005 with the short film Trevirgolaottantasette, focused on workplace deaths. He continued his directorial career with the original Ride (2018), starring Chiara Martegiani, and most recently with the intense and surprising Nonostante (2024), which opened the Orizzonti section at the latest Venice Film Festival.
As part of the tribute that Laceno d’Oro will dedicate to him on the festival’s final weekend, screenings will include Se c’è un aldilà sono fottuto. Vita e Cinema di Claudio Caligari by Simone Isola (2019), a documentary about one of his most formative influences, and Ride (2018), followed by a masterclass