May 18, 2012
The star of one of the hottest films at Cannes couldn’t be at the movie’s screening, because he’s currently serving time in prison for murder, according to reports.
Forbes reports that Aniello Arena, who stars in the Italian drama Reality, was plucked from his prison theatre troupe by director Matteo Garrone. Now, he’s the toast of Cannes.
With a skewed perspective on the effects of reality TV, Reality features Arena as Luciano, a fisherman invited to appear on the Italian version of the reality TV show Big Brother.
In actual reality, Arena is reportedly serving twenty years to life locked away in an Italian prison for murder, though publicists have declined to further explain his crimes or sentence.
Director Garrone explains that Arena was allowed out of his cell to shoot the drama as part of a work release program.
Now, word is the prisoner could find himself the recipient of the major French festival’s Best Actor award for his work on the film. Should he win, however, don’t expect to see Arena at the ceremony, as Italian officials refused the new star permission to travel to France for the festival.
(Image: Fandango / Archimede)






May 18, 2012
May 18, 2012
May 18, 2012
May 18, 2012
May 17, 2012
May 17, 2012
May 17, 2012
May 17, 2012
May 17, 2012