Giovanni Esposito nominated for the Nastri d'Argento with "Nero": a debut as a protagonist

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Neapolitan actor Giovanni Esposito has received a prestigious nomination for the 2025 Nastri d'Argento Awards in the “Best Directorial Debut” category thanks to his film Nero ( read our review ) , an intense and original work that has already attracted the attention of critics and audiences.

A surprising debut

Nero , presented at the 42nd Turin Film Festival in the Zibaldone section, marks the directorial debut of Giovanni Esposito , who also wrote the screenplay with Valentina Farinaccio and Francesco Prisco. The film tells the story of Nero ( watch the trailer ), a middle-aged delinquent who commits petty crimes to take care of his sister Imma, played by Susy del Giudice , who suffers from serious mental illness.

During a robbery gone wrong, Nero accidentally kills a gas station attendant. Shocked, he discovers that the man has miraculously survived, an event attributed to the "Madonna of Detergents," a statue in the gas station's shop. A policeman, Abate, becomes convinced that the miraculous power is actually in Nero's hands and asks him to save his comatose daughter. Nero succeeds, but each healing costs him one of his five senses, leading him to a painful moral dilemma.

Awards and criticism

Nero 's nomination for the Nastri d'Argento in the "Best Directorial Debut" category is a significant recognition for Esposito, who has successfully combined his acting experience with a mature and original directorial vision. The film has been praised for its ability to blend realism and symbolism, offering a profound reflection on redemption and personal sacrifice.

The Nastri d'Argento awards ceremony will be held on June 16 in Rome, and Nero is one of the seven titles competing for the award for best debut, along with works such as L'infinito by Umberto Contarello and La casa degli sguardi by Luca Zingaretti.

An exceptional cast

In addition to Esposito in the title role, the film boasts a high-level cast, including Susy Del Giudice, Marius Bizau, Giovanni Calcagno, Cristina Donadio and Alessandro Haber. The photography is by Daniele Ciprì, while the music is by Giordano Corapi. The production is by Pepito Produzioni, Run Film Productions, Bartlebyfilm and Rai Cinema.

In a live interview with Cronache della Campania , Giovanni Esposito and Susy Del Giudice shared their experiences working on the film Nero , which marks Giovanni Esposito's directorial debut. During the conversation, Giovanni Esposito expressed deep pride in the project, highlighting how collaborating with his wife, Susy Del Giudice, enriched the creative process. Susy Del Giudice , in turn, emphasized the importance of her role in the film, calling it one of the most significant experiences of her career.

LIVE Interview with Giovanni Esposito and Susy Del Giudice

With Nero , Giovanni Esposito demonstrates his versatility, not only as an actor but also as a director capable of tackling complex themes with sensitivity and originality. His nomination for a Nastri d'Argento Award represents a significant milestone in his career and confirms the value of a work that has both moved and provoked reflection.

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