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Legendary Actress Sophia Loren Receives KCET Cinema Series Lumière Award at Virtual Screening of Netflix's 'The Life Ahead'

Headshot of actress Sophia Loren.
Actress Sophia Loren receives the KCET Cinema Series' Lumière Award.
January 14, 2021
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 7:00 PT

As one of the most renowned and captivating actresses of all time, Academy Award-winning Italian actress Sophia Loren has carved an illustrious, international career over seven decades in motion pictures. Starting in the 1950s, she has given mesmerizing performances in such classic films as "It Started in Naples," "Black Orchid," "A Special Day," "Two Women," "Marriage Italian Style," and "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." "The Life Ahead" is Ms. Loren’s first feature film in a decade, and reunites her with her son, director Edoardo Ponti.

Ms. Loren has worked with many of cinema’s greatest directors, including Charlie Chaplin, Robert Altman, Sidney Lumet, Martin Ritt, Ettore Scola and Vittorio De Sica, and legendary stars such as Marcello Mastroianni, Marlon Brando, Cary Grant, Clark Gable and Richard Burton.

International recognitions have included two Oscars®, five Golden Globes, a Golden Lion, a Volpi Cup at the Venice Film Festival, Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival, the Honorary Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement from the Berlin Film Festival, a BAFTA Award, a Grammy Award, 10 David di Donatello Awards and three Silver Ribbon Awards. In 1999, the American Film Institute included Loren on its list of the 25 biggest stars in cinema history.

The Lumière Award is presented by the KCET Cinema Series in recognition of excellence, artistry and innovation by a filmmaker or an actor in television or motion pictures. Previous honorees include actors Kevin Costner, Dame Judi Dench, Shirley MacLaine, Sir Ian McKellen and Gary Oldham, and motion picture producer Walter Mirisch.

For this very special event, Ms. Loren is joined at her home in Switzerland by the director of "The Life Ahead" and her son, Edoardo Ponti. Pete Hammond, host of the KCET Cinema Series and KCET’s "Must See Movies," presents the Lumière Award to Ms. Loren, and then engages in a candid and emotional conversation with the screen legend and her director-son about her career and life. The event culminates in a special screening of "The Life Ahead."

Sponsored by Mitzi Ash Blahd and Netflix, the tribute takes place online as part of the new season of the Virtual KCET Cinema Series. A Los Angeles-based program, the Series welcomes film lovers anywhere to exclusive intimate conversations with filmmakers and talent after a private screening of a motion picture not yet released in theaters or on streaming services. Prior to going virtual last spring, the KCET Cinema Series was celebrating its 26th year.

To purchase tickets to the KCET Cinema Series Lumière Award honoring Sophia Loren, click here. And for details and tickets for the Virtual KCET Cinema Series, visit www.kcet.org/lumiere.

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