Paul Farrelly’s I Play Rocky, chronicling the making of the 1976 classic Rocky, is set to open the Cairo International Film Festival’s 47th edition in November.
In a timely connection, the choice of film ties in with the fact that Cairo, which is Egypt‘s oldest film festival, is also marking the 50th anniversary of its creation in 1976, even if it is only at its 47th edition.
The biopic stars Anthony Ippolito in the role of a young Sylvester Stallone as he struggles to establish himself in Hollywood and bring his passion project Rocky to the big screen, while retaining his place in the lead role.
I Play Rocky world premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September where it finished as first runner-up for the People’s Choice Award.
It went on to win the Audience Award in the Galas & Special Presentations section at the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at Canada’s Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival.
The film was also selected for a surprise screening at the BFI London Film Festival and featured at the Rome, Zurich, and Chicago film festivals, as well as AFI FEST, where it screened in the Red Carpet Premieres section..
“By selecting I Play Rocky as its opening film, CIFF continues its commitment to showcasing cinema that combines artistic merit with audience appeal, while turning the spotlight on the filmmaking process itself and the personal and creative challenges behind bringing stories to the screen,” the festival said in a release.
“Half a century after Rocky first reached audiences and the Cairo International Film Festival was founded, the opening night of CIFF’s 47th edition brings these two histories together: one celebrating the determination of a young actor who fought to bring his character to life, the other marking a cinematic journey that began in Cairo in 1976 and continues to connect audiences with films from around the world.”
The 47th edition will run from November 11 to 20.
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