edonline
10-15-2004, 01:06 PM
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=6514815
Robert De Niro Snubs Land of Forebears -- Twice
Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 AM ET
By Rachel Sanderson
ROME (Reuters) - Hollywood heavyweight Robert De Niro snubbed the country of his forebears twice in as many days, refusing a top honor from fashion capital Milan on Thursday and then standing up dignitaries in Rome on Friday.
The two-time Oscar winner flew into Italy for both events, having whipped up a political storm over his portrayal of gangsters of Italian descent, most recently as the voice of the "Godfather" shark in the DreamWorks animation "Shark Tale."
Milan's mayor had intended to give De Niro The Golden Ambrosius award, the northern city's highest honor, to show support for the actor many Italians consider one of their own.
But De Niro refused it, provoking fury among officials and the Italian press.
He then failed to turn up at a news conference in Rome about the inclusion of an Italian showcase at New York Tribeca Film Festival he co-founded.
"He flew straight from Milan to Paris," a spokesman for the Rome provincial government said. "We don't really know what happened, we haven't had an official explanation."
Local media speculated the star, who won his first Oscar for his role as a Mafia boss in "The Godfather Part II," snubbed the award because of the polemic about his portrayal of Italians.
Italy had intended to give De Niro honorary citizenship at the Venice Film Festival in September but delayed it after the Order Sons of Italy in America said he did not deserve it as his gangster roles besmirched their good name.
Italian media and organizers were left cooling their heels in Rome as the hyped appearance turned into a damp squib.
"We have a saying in Italy: If they don't want it, they don't deserve it," said Ivano Rossi, one of the teams of serving staff laid on for the star who did a no-show.
"Italy is more beautiful and has far more history than America ever will. We don't need an ingrate like De Niro."
But blame was laid with the Italian-American group that stirred up criticism about the actor, criticism many Italians consider completely unfounded.
"Imbeciles," said Giulia Riccardo, the editor of an Italian travel magazine. "We Italians love De Niro."
Robert De Niro Snubs Land of Forebears -- Twice
Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:29 AM ET
By Rachel Sanderson
ROME (Reuters) - Hollywood heavyweight Robert De Niro snubbed the country of his forebears twice in as many days, refusing a top honor from fashion capital Milan on Thursday and then standing up dignitaries in Rome on Friday.
The two-time Oscar winner flew into Italy for both events, having whipped up a political storm over his portrayal of gangsters of Italian descent, most recently as the voice of the "Godfather" shark in the DreamWorks animation "Shark Tale."
Milan's mayor had intended to give De Niro The Golden Ambrosius award, the northern city's highest honor, to show support for the actor many Italians consider one of their own.
But De Niro refused it, provoking fury among officials and the Italian press.
He then failed to turn up at a news conference in Rome about the inclusion of an Italian showcase at New York Tribeca Film Festival he co-founded.
"He flew straight from Milan to Paris," a spokesman for the Rome provincial government said. "We don't really know what happened, we haven't had an official explanation."
Local media speculated the star, who won his first Oscar for his role as a Mafia boss in "The Godfather Part II," snubbed the award because of the polemic about his portrayal of Italians.
Italy had intended to give De Niro honorary citizenship at the Venice Film Festival in September but delayed it after the Order Sons of Italy in America said he did not deserve it as his gangster roles besmirched their good name.
Italian media and organizers were left cooling their heels in Rome as the hyped appearance turned into a damp squib.
"We have a saying in Italy: If they don't want it, they don't deserve it," said Ivano Rossi, one of the teams of serving staff laid on for the star who did a no-show.
"Italy is more beautiful and has far more history than America ever will. We don't need an ingrate like De Niro."
But blame was laid with the Italian-American group that stirred up criticism about the actor, criticism many Italians consider completely unfounded.
"Imbeciles," said Giulia Riccardo, the editor of an Italian travel magazine. "We Italians love De Niro."