Keanu Reeves and Other Film Stars Voice Their Support For Italian Cinema Collective

John Wick actor Keanu Reeves issued support by signing his name on a statement from Cinema America, which condemns the violence directed at the film collective. Cinema America, a seven-year collective also known as Piccolo America based in the Roman neighborhood of Trastevere is known for organizing free outdoor movie screenings. 

 Keanu Reeves Support Statement

“We express our solidarity to the youth attacked in Rome, as well as the experience of Cinema America and all young people who create a dialogue between the world of art and people … It is unacceptable that there are still those who think they can impose their beliefs through the use of violence,” the group, which includes Reeves and 19 others, said in a statement.

The organization first released the statement on its Facebook page on June 25. According to the Guardian, the message in Italian reads: “It is unacceptable that there is still someone that thinks they can impose their view through the use of violence … We can’t accept a wound of this kind, inflicted not only to the world of art and cinema but to the whole world.” Directors Alfonso Cuarón, Spike Lee, Guillermo del Toro, and Stephen Frears along with actors Jeremy Irons, Debra Winger, Richard Gere, and John Malkovich also signed the letter.

Valerio Carocci, Cinema America’s founder, said in an interview with Indiewire: “We are under attack because we can talk to the vast majority of people in a very bipartisan way. It is pretty clear that all over the world right now, there is some message going on that the use of private violence is OK.” First Reformed director Paul Schrader also added, “What’s happening here is something that is very reminiscent of what was happening almost 50 years ago, where a cinema movement is morphing into a political movement.”

The June 16 Incident 

On June 16, 2019, four members of the group were attacked following a showing of First Reformed. The attackers, who were wearing film collective shirts at the time, are believed to be ‘anti-fascist’. The motive behind the crime was that the suspects allegedly targeted the group for wearing t-shit’s bearing the collectives name. When they demanded them take the “anti-fascist” off, the victims refused and that’s when the beating happened. In addition, five men have been detained in connection with the assault, Italian reports say that at least one of the suspects belongs to a youth wing of Italy’s neo-fascist CasaPound political party. The suspects, ranging from 20 to 38 years old, are reported to have previous encounters with police about violent crimes and participation in extreme right-wing demonstrations.