Italian acting great Giancarlo Giannini, star of films such as Love and Anarchy, Hannibal, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, has been announced as the head of the jury for the upcoming Monte-Carlo Film Festival.
The 80-year-old La Spezia native and former winner of the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor will be joined on the prestigious panel by French actor Richard Anconina (centre above), Spanish actress Nathalie Poza (right) and Italian actor-artist-presenter Neri Marcorè (left).
The 2023 edition of the Monte-Carlo Film Festival, which is dedicated to comedy in all its forms, is due to take place at the Grimaldi Forum from Monday 24th to Saturday 29th April.
Alongside the main event, a number of screenings and masterclasses from leading Italian, French and international icons have been scheduled for the duration of the festival. Another highlight will be the Short Comedy Award section of the festival, which celebrates the work of directors, actors and filmmakers from the realm of short films.
The Monte-Carlo Film Festival, created and directed to this day by Ezio Greggio, will conclude on the Saturday night with a special gala and awards ceremony attended by Prince Albert II of Monaco.
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Photos courtesy of Monte-Carlo Film Festival
Monte-Carlo Masters: Novak Djokovic suffers shock defeat, Stefanos Tsitsipas through
Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Lorenzo Musetti in a rain-interrupted thriller, whilst reigning champion Stefanos Tsitsipas progressed comfortably at the Monte-Carlo Masters on Thursday.
Whilst Djokovic has admitted that he is working his way into form at the beginning of the clay season, it was expected that the Monaco resident would have the better over his Italian opponent. Musetti, like all the Italians in action on Thursday, was well-supported, but that looked to count for little in the opening exchanges.
Djokovic edged the first set (6-4), but neither player could hold their serve (15 breaks of serve during the match), particularly at the end of a tense second set. Both players held in their first service games in the deciding third set before torrential rain suspended play. Many of the thousands of fans that packed the courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club (MCCC), who counted amongst their ranks Olympic Gold medalist Usain Bolt, headed for the exits. Perhaps, in hindsight, many regret that decision, with the thrilling tie later getting back underway.
Photo of Usain Bolt at the Monte-Carlo Masters by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
The rain may have stopped, but Djokovic’s troubles continued. Musetti made the decisive break in the seventh game of the third set, and saw out the victory, despite faltering towards the end of his final service game (6-4, 5-7, 4-6). It is the biggest win of Musetti’s young career, and his reward – an all-Italian quarter-final against Jannik Sinner. “The feeling is terrible after playing like this, honestly. We move on,” said Djokovic in a laconic post-match press conference.
Stefanos Tsitsipas into the quarter-finals
Unlike Djokovic, Monaco resident Tsitsipas is yet to come under pressure during this year’s tournament, he is yet to drop a set, and that run continued against Chilean Nicolás Jarry. The Greek player was prolific on his serve, albeit profligate in taking his break-point opportunities. Ultimately, that wastefulness (2/10 breakpoints) was of little consequence with a break per set enough to wrap the game up, and progress to the quarter-finals.
Prior to Tsitsipas’ victory, Sinner, Musetti’s quarter-final opponent, drew the crowds to the Court Rainier III in the opening slot. There has been a wealth of Italian talent on display at this year’s Monte-Carlo Masters, and they have been buoyed by the travelling Tifosi, who have been in good voice. The stands were awash with the Italian flag as Sinner progressed at the expense of Polish player Hubert Hurkacz in a three-set thriller (6-3, 6-7, 1-6).
Romain Arneodo and Tristan-Samuel Weissborn beat last year’s winners
In the doubles, Arneodo and his Austrian partner Tristan-Samuel Weissborn came into Thursday’s match high on confidence after beating a team consisting of former world number two Alexander Zverev on Wednesday.
Photo of Romain Arneodo and Tristan-Samuel Weissborn by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
However, Arneodo’s serve was instantly put under pressure by the pairing of Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram. However, the Anglophone pair didn’t take their chance, and they wouldn’t get many more.
Arneodo and Weissborn were in attack mode and broke twice, whilst the pressure on their own service games was reduced. Having taken the first set (6-2), there was no let-up. Arneodo and Weissborn broke in the third game of the second set before breaking them for a second time.
They then just had to serve out for the victory but missed all three of their match points on their way to being broken. Scare over, Arneodo and Weissborn wrestled back control, and broke in the next game to seal their progression to the quarter-final (6-2, 6-3).
Photo of Romain Arneodo and Tristan-Samuel Weissborn by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
“I expected it to be a lot more difficult,” admitted Arneodo to Monaco Life post-match. “I thought if we were going to win it, it would have been a lot closer. I was a bit disappointed with their level, and it gives me a lot of confidence regarding the level of the game,” he continued.
Arneodo made the semi-finals of the Monte-Carlo Masters in 2017, alongside fellow Monaco player Hugo Nys. However, he isn’t thinking too far ahead. “We’re going step-by-step and we’ll see where that takes us. If we concentrate on the present, we can do great things,” said Arneodo.
The French government has announced a series of new measures aimed at preventing and dealing with bullies at schools, following Monaco’s lead, which passed anti-bullying legislation in August last year.
France started its campaign against harassment and bullying in 2017, and though it was a bit of a slow burn at first, efforts have recently been ramped up.
Pap Ndiaye, France’s Minister of National Education and Youth, has now announced the strengthening of previous measures to prevent harassment, or in the case where it is too late for that, to deal with bullies effectively and quickly.
ONE IN 10 BULLIED AT SCHOOL
Recent statistics show that one in 10 children has experienced some form of school bullying at one point or another. The damage it does can run deep and has led to desperation so entrenched that the victims have withdrawn, become depressed or, in extreme cases, committed suicide.
The government has defined school bullying as “repetitive physical, verbal or psychological violence perpetrated by one or more students against one of their classmates”, which covers pretty much all bases, but now additional terms have been laid out to clarify any grey areas.
THE STEPS BEING TAKEN
Firstly, the pHARe programme, the current anti-bullying plan, will be extended to include secondary schools, with the goal of reaching 100% of schools from the start of next school year. At present, 86% of colleges and 60% of schools overall are registered, which is strong, but not entirely comprehensive, leaving some students to fall between the cracks.
The government will also reiterate the use of dedicated emergency hotline numbers – 3020 for harassment and 3018 for cyberbullying – as ways for victims or witnesses of bullying to send evidence of incidents to authorities to better help those being bullied.
Teacher training will also be stepped up, with the National Higher Institutes of Teaching and Education (INSPE) and the Academic Schools of Continuing Education (EAFC) participating in programmes to prepare teachers to recognise and take action against harassers.
The government is also looking to proactively bring parents and students together to try and resolve differences and end bad behaviours, but failing this, school officials will be given extra powers to remove perpetrators from the school.
MONACO’S ANTI-BULLYING LAW
Monaco has had an anti-bullying law on the books since August 2022, as reported by Monaco Life, and has similar methods in place, but goes further in that an “appropriate and dissuasive criminal response” can be enacted in cases where the bullying has been repetitive or extreme.
Lorenzo Ravano, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco, has presented his Letters of Credence to Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, during a ceremony held at the Belvedere Palace, Presidential Residence, in Warsaw.
During the private audience that followed the ceremony, the Polish President first discussed the situation in Ukraine, emphasising Poland’s historical past vis-à-vis Russia.
According to a statement by the Monaco Government, Lorenzo Ravano recalled the condemnation by Prince Albert of the military aggression against Ukraine, as well as his call for a ceasefire and respect for international law and the territorial integrity of States.
The Ambassador also mentioned the Principality’s systematic application of international sanctions and, at the humanitarian level, mentioned the chain of solidarity put in place by the Monegasque Red Cross and civil society, both by sending help and by welcoming many Ukrainians to the Principality since the start of the conflict.
In addition, he reaffirmed the importance that H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince attaches to multilateralism and to Monaco’s role in promoting respect for fundamental rights and freedoms within international organisations. In this regard, Mr. Ravano welcomed the way in which Poland held the presidency in 2022 of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (O.S.C.E.) in an unprecedented context.
In addition, other bilateral subjects were also discussed, including the strengthening of economic relations in areas such as FinTech, artificial intelligence or sustainable yachting, as well as the need to cooperate with a view to making a transition to sustainable energy, made even more essential by the current geopolitical context.
President Andrzej Duda, meanwhile, praised the personal commitment of Prince Albert and the action of his Government in the preservation of the environment and the fight against climate change.
Following the presentation of the Letters of Credence and as tradition dictates, the Ambassador laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier, Piłsudski Square, during a solemn ceremony in the presence of the Warsaw Garrison.
Photo: H.E. Lorenzo Ravano, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco, presented his Letters of Credence to H.E. Mr. Andrzej DUDA, President of the Republic of Poland, during a ceremony held at the Belvedere Palace, Presidential Residence, in Warsaw, source Monaco Government
“The next pages of history”: Olivier Thomas arrives at the Hôtel de Paris as new Managing Director
The Hôtel de Paris has found its new Managing Director in Olivier Thomas, a newcomer to the Société des Bains de Mer Group but a seasoned head of luxury hotels worldwide, following the departure of Ivan Artolli.
Frenchman Olivier Thomas stepped into the shoes of “Leading Legend” Ivan Artolli at the Hôtel de Paris on 10th April.
“I’m really honoured to arrive in Principality of Monaco in the most beautiful way, by [the] Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo door,” said Thomas. “I’m really proud to join Group Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and to become the General Manager of the emblematic Palace of Casino Square. I’m thrilled to lead its professional and passionate teams, which embody excellence [in] the quality of service and to write next pages of the history of this amazing hotel.”
Prior to this prestigious posting, Thomas was the Managing Director of the Four Seasons Hotel in Abu Dhabi and also opened the Four Seasons in Casablanca and ran the Four Seasons Hotels in Prague in the Czech Republic and Aman in Jordan. Other career highlights include: eight years at the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Group, where he ran the St Regis Hotel in New York and worked along Chef Alain Ducasse; and positions at Savoy Hotel in London and the Plaza Athénée in New York.
Thomas’ predecessor Artolli, who oversaw the €280 million renovations of the Hôtel de Paris and in November 2022 won the Leading Legend Award, a distinction that recognised his passion to the industry over three incredible decades, has moved on to “new projects” after nearly seven years at the Hôtel de Paris.
It’s the season of racquet sports in Monaco, and whilst the Monte-Carlo Masters is still in full swing, the inaugural edition of the Five Padel Cup is set to get underway, with former international footballers Gianluca Zambrotta and Gaël Givet in the line-up.
The action kicks off at the Èze Tennis Club on Tuesday 18th April, with other events related to the tournament taking place in Monaco from Monday 17th April. The tournament will meld both professional and amateur elements. Whist professional players in the mixed, men’s, women’s and wheelchair disciplines will participate, notably Niçois player Dorian Navarro, stars from across the spectrum of sport will also be present to promote the emerging sport that is Padel.
Notably, two Barbaguians teams will be present, one of which will include Givet, a former France international, who competed in the Champions League final with AS Monaco back in 2004.
“I immediately liked this discipline. It is technically easy to learn and the joy of playing came quickly. The Five Padel Cup allows former professional sportsmen to get together and promote Padel,” said Givet.
Other members of the Barbagiuans team, most commonly associated with the charitable Fight AIDS Cup football match, will be announced in due course.
“We are very grateful for the availability of these players to take part in the Barbaguians events, and, in fact, to defend the causes that affect us,” said Barbagiuans president Louis Ducruet.
Zambroatta, who featured almost 100 times for the Italian national football team, and who played for clubs such as Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan, will also participate in the event, organised by BSG SRL Rome.
