- FOR:
- Cannes Film Festival
Courtesy of Fandango.
Nando Paone and Aniello Arena in Reality.How is this for a Cannes plot twist? Aniello Arena, the Italian actor who is already being praised at the prestigious film festival for âa very winning central performanceâ in the competition entry Reality, is unable to promote his breakout film because he is serving time in prison. Arena reportedly has been imprisoned for two decades and was excused to star in director Matteo Garroneâs film during the day as long as he returned to custody at night. According to Forbes, Arena is currently serving a 20-year-to-life term in Italy for double murder.
In Reality, the inmate/actor stars as a Naples fishmonger who becomes obsessed with appearing on a Big Brotherâ"type reality show in Italy. Arenaâs work in the film has been called ârivetingâ and the first real breakout performance of this yearâs festival. Garrone cast the actor after discovering him in a prison theater troupe, which performs at festivals and in theaters throughout Italy. The director told reporters that he pursued him for the 2008 crime drama Gomorrah, âbut the judge wouldnât allow it.â
Wisely, the filmâs publicists are not commenting on the nature of Arenaâs crime, although his P.R.-approved Cannes bio confirms that he âbegan his acting career at the Volterra Detention Center with the Fortezza Theater Company in 2001.â Realityâs gala premiere will take place on Friday without its star present.
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