At the 1996 Academy Awards®, Anthony Minghella famously held one of The English Patient’s nine Oscars® aloft and pronounced it to be 'a great day for the Isle of Wight!'
On the anniversary of the much-loved director’s death in March of last year, Anthony’s friends, family and stars have come together to commemorate his work with a weekend-long festival of his seven films including his final film as director, ‘The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency’.
The Minghella Movie Marathon begins on Friday evening, 13 March, with a screening of Truly, Madly, Deeply hosted by the director’s sister, Gioia Minghella, and introduced by stars Alan Rickman and Michael Maloney.
On Saturday, Jude Law and trumpeting legend Guy Barker will introduce a screening of The Talented Mr Ripley. Later that afternoon, Law will participate in a sold-out ‘audience with’ following a screening of the documentary, Climbing Cold Mountain.
A press conference will take place at the Medina High School at 2.45pm on Saturday, attended by VIP guests including Lord Puttnam and Jude Law, at which the Minghella Family will announce plans to build on the success of the Marathon, working with friends and supporters in the film industry to produce an annual Isle of Wight event conceived in the spirit and memory of Anthony Minghella.
A Saturday evening gala reception will be followed by a screening of The English Patient introduced by actor Kevin Whately and Lord Puttnam. On Sunday, Martin Freeman will introduce the screening of Breaking and Entering in which he co-stars alongside Jude Law and Juliette Binoche.
The Minghella Movie Marathon’s sponsors include Liz Earle Beauty Co, Wightlink, the Lakeside Park Hotel, and of course, Minghella Ice Cream.
The Marathon also benefits from the support of the British Film Institute (BFI) of which Anthony Minghella was a leading light and Chairman.
In a statement on behalf of the family, Anthony Minghella’s brother Dominic and sister Gioia said: 'Anthony was passionate about everything he loved, including filmmaking and the Isle of Wight. It seems entirely fitting to celebrate his memory with a movie marathon on the island and we look forward to welcoming his many, many film industry friends to Newport this weekend.'