Italian actress Matilda De Angelis won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the film "Fuori" at the 71st David di Donatello awards [1].
De Angelis used her platform to bring attention to the precarious conditions of entertainment industry staff. By centering the struggle of workers during a high-profile ceremony, she shifted the focus from individual achievement to systemic labor issues within the arts.
The actress received the award for her performance in "Fuori," a project directed by Mario Martone [3]. During her acceptance speech, she said, "Il cinema deve essere onesto, pulito e sociale" [2].
De Angelis specifically addressed the treatment of those working behind the scenes. She said she was sad that an entire category of professionals must be humiliated to be remembered or recognized as existing [2]. This comment highlighted the invisibility of technical and support staff who sustain the film and entertainment industry.
The 71st edition of the awards [1] serves as one of Italy's most prestigious cinematic honors. De Angelis said that the industry must move toward a model that is honest and social [2]—one that protects the dignity of all contributors regardless of their billing on a project.
Her win for Best Supporting Actress [2] came amid a broader conversation regarding the rights of entertainment workers. By utilizing her moment of victory, De Angelis said she aimed to defend those she believes are often ignored by the establishment.
“"Il cinema deve essere onesto, pulito e sociale"”
The use of a major awards stage to highlight labor exploitation reflects a growing trend of celebrity advocacy for 'below-the-line' workers. By linking the artistic quality of cinema to the ethical treatment of its workforce, De Angelis is framing labor rights as a prerequisite for the 'honest' and 'clean' cinema she advocates for.
