Day Five of the Venice 68th International Film Festival

Al Pacino presents ‘Wilde Salome’

” A Story About Obsession”, “unlike an other documentary, a profound vision of religion, literature, politics, violence and sexuality from one of the greatest artist of our time”.

A New Documentary from the acclaimed director of ‘Looking For Richard’.

Al Pacino, the Artist:

Al Pacino, best known for his remarkable acting career and ground breaking achievements in the world of cinema, is being honored today on the Red Carpet in Venice with the prestigious Jaeger-Le Coulture “Glory to the Filmmaker Award.” This award is presented to an outstanding individual who has left an original mark on contemporary cinema. No one is more deserving than Al Pacino. He has devoted his life to the world of story telling on stage and on film. He became a cultural icon in the role of Michael Coleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather in 1969. Serpico, DogDay Afternoon and Scarface were films that have become synonymous with Al Pacino, confirming his legendary status as a superb contemporary character actor.

Al Pacino, the Writer/Director:

The award ceremony precedes the world premiere of ‘Wilde Salome’, Al Pacino’s third feature length directorial picture. This is a film made from Pacino’s heart and one that he has struggled to birth for a long time. He hesitates to call it a documentary but it is certainly not totally fiction, being based on Oscar Wilde and the making of Oscar Wilde’s acclaimed production Salome. Pacino has been contemplating making “Wilde Salome” for years and started without a script (which he highly recommends against). It was his idea to intertwine these two stories to create a kaleidoscope effect that would bring the audience a powerful, beautiful insight into the nature of the man who was Oscar Wilde.

Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) was a genius, a sensitive and courageous artist who insisted upon portraying the world in his own terms. Play write, poet, novelists and critic, his genius was apparent early as was his rebellious nature. He was accepted at Oxford on a scholarship where he really began to assert himself as an individual, pursuing Hellenistic and Greek studies. Later he would start skipping classes and becoming more flamboyant in his choice of artistic endeavors and in his effeminate clothing. He became famous for his individual flare, wit, humor and creativity. He eventually lost interest in academic studies at Oxford and moved to London where he became a celebrity. He joined Blake and Nietzsche in challenging the world as to the definitions of good and evil.