EXCLUSIVE
NICK VALLELONGA , Hollywood screenwriter , actor , producer and director
INTERVIEW by Olga Taran and Natalia Bezruk
The season of movie festivals on the Côte d ’ Azur began at the end of May with the Monte-Carlo Comedy Film Festival , which delighted HelloMonaco with one particularly special member of the jury . Our guest is Hollywood screenwriter , actor , producer and director and winner of two Oscars — Nick Vallelonga .
His story in the movie ‘ Green Book ’ was a revelation to the world . A bouncer , Frank ‘ Tony Lip ’ Vallelonga and an Afro-American virtuoso jazz pianist Donald Shirley , what could they possibly have in common ? In the biographical film ‘ Green Book ’, the newly-minted friends go on an amazing journey , after which both their lives change forever . The issues of racism , the story of true friendship and two different destinies are more relevant today than ever .
HelloMonaco found out how taking the director ’ s chair next to Francis Coppola at the age of 12 was possible , why the movie ‘ Green Book ’ was criticised and how it feels to stand on stage with two Academy Awards .
© Rosanna Calò 18MCFF
Ezio Greggio , President of the Monte-Carlo Comedy Festival , Nick Vallelonga and former soccer player Claudio Marchisio at the 18th Monte-Carlo Comedy Festival , June 5 , 2021
Hello Monaco Summer — Autumn 2021 / 51 www . hellomonaco . com