Friday, April 20----The 12th edition of the Palm Beach International Film Festival opened last evening with pizazz......with the US Premiere of THE GOLDEN DOOR by Italian director Emanuelle Crialese, with the film's lead actor Vincenzo Amato in attendance. The film, a moving chronicle of the journey of one family from Sicily to America in the early years of the 20th Century, won the Silver Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival.

Amato, who plays the patriarch of the family, was especially powerful in his portrayal of an impoverished peasant who could not read or write, but held fast to his dream for a better life for himself and his family in America. The film contrasted images of the harsh reality of the sea voyage and the induction by government officials at Ellis Island, with dream-like sequences that represented the hopes of those who made the perilous voyage in search for a "land of milk and honey" (rivers of milk are featured prominently as a metaphoric device). The film will be released theatrically by Miramax in late May and has the prominent and visible support of Italian-American director Martin Scorsese (who is officially "presenting" the film). The audience, along with visiting filmmakers, industry executives, members of the press and Palm Beach's cultural elite, moved to Delray Beach for the Opening Night Party at the City Limits Nightclub.  Thus begins a week of film premieres, educational seminars and, of course, glamorous parties and special events. Stay tuned.

Sandy Mandelberger, Palm Beach FF Online Dailies Editor