On Friday, October 13, The Knockturnal attended the North American premiere and closing night screening of the New York Film Festival as a guest of Campari.
As soon as we arrived at Lincoln Center, the Campari team escorted us to the Hauser Patron Salon, a mezzanine level space suspended above the Morgan Stanley Lobby. The salon is Lincoln Center’s most intimate reception space. It boasts a beautiful balcony. We grabbed a quick Campari cocktail before heading down the film’s screening. Attendees were in for a treat as festival director Dennis Lim introduced director Michael Mann, stars Adam driver, Penelope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, and newcomer Gabriel Leone. Since the film received a SAG waiver, the cast could promote it.
The movie told the story of founder Enzo Ferrari’s entrepreneurship in making Ferrari a household name. It’s set in 1957. Enzo’s goal was to make Ferrari a peer of other prominent brands of racecars of the time, such as Maserati and Jaguar. Much of the film revolves around Enzo’s relationship with his wife Laura in whose name he put the company’s stocks toward the end of the Second World War and who thus holds the fate of the company in her hands. Enzo wants build a legacy to leave to posterity, and ideally to an heir. The story mostly traces his preparation for the Mille Miglia race, a cross-country open road race through Italy. The film was shot in northern Italy, including in Ferrari’s hometown of Modena. Thanks to Michael Mann’s relationship with Enzo’s son Piero, he was even able to film inside Enzo’s family home. Featuring thrilling race scenes and elegant replicas of period cars, the film inspires viewers to imagine what it was like to work with Enzo to make his vision a reality in the early days of Ferrari. Penelope Cruz gives a compelling performance as Laura, conveying the emotional consequences of Enzo’s complicated love life and affections.
During the post-screening talk, the cast spoke about preparing for their roles. Soon it was time to head to the closing night afterparty, which was held at Lincoln Restaurante across the street from Alice Tully Hall. The Campari cocktails were flowing and guests enjoyed Italian dishes like veal parmigiana, sautéed mushrooms, pasta and tomato sauce, and prosciutto, and for dessert cannolis galore.
Notable attendees included Jeremy Strong, Ari Aster, Ben Stiller, Nathan Felder, Bennie Safdie, and Mira Nair. The film will be released December 25, 2023 by Neon.
The Campari Negroni Milano Maranello is Campari’s latest specialty cocktail, created for and inspired by New York Film Festival’s Closing Night (Oct. 13) selection, Ferrari. The cocktail represents two Italian classics coming together to celebrate the world of art and cinema, and takes base ingredients Campari and Vermouth and innovates on them with additional ingredients including Glen Grant 12® Scotch, Balsamic, and Orange Bitters.
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1 part Campari®
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1 part Del Professore Rosso Vermouth®
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1 part Glen Grant 12®
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1 heavy dash of Balsamic/Orange Bitters
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Dehydrated Orange Garnish
