Russell Crowe's 'Bear Country' to have world premiere in Italy's Taormina Film Festival 2026
Washington DC, May 16
Italy's Taormina Film Festival will host the world premiere of Australian action thriller 'Bear Country' that reunites Russell Crowe with 'Unhinged' director Derrick Borte, reported Variety.
According to the outlet, the fest's chief Tiziana Rocca on Saturday also announced a high-caliber jury panel comprising Holly Hunter, costume designer Miyako Bellizzi, casting director Francine Maisler, breakout director Akinola Davies Jr. ("My Father's Shadow"), Amazon MGM Studios' head of global marketing Sue Kroll, and Italian actor/director Pietro Castellitto.
Jane Campion is presiding over the jury, and Helen Mirren will receive a lifetime achievement award, as previously announced.
"Bear Country," in which Crowe portrays Manco Kapak, a veteran club owner whose plans for a peaceful retirement with his girlfriend are derailed when a masked assailant robs his establishment, will bow as a special event in Taormina's ancient Greek theatre, reported Variety.
Besides Crowe, the film stars Luke Evans, Teresa Palmer, Nina Dobrev and Aaron Paul. Most of the key cast are expected to attend. The film is produced by Jeffrey Greenstein and Mark Fasano and distributed in Italy by Gianluca Curti's Minerva Pictures, reported Variety.
"This edition celebrates great cinema through outstanding personalities, authoritative artistic visions, and an increasingly open dialogue between cultures and generations," Rocca said in a statement.
The fest is divided into four sections: The International Feature Film Competition; the Out of Competition section; Special Events at the Ancient Theatre; and the new Short Film Competition section, featuring films shot in Sicily that aim to promote the region, reported Variety.
The 72nd edition of Taormina will run June 10-14. The full lineup will be announced in early June.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Wait, Nina Dobrev and Aaron Paul are in this too? That cast is solid! But I wish Hollywood would make more films in India – our locations are just as dramatic. Taormina gets all the cool premieres. 😅 Still, looking forward to this one, the plot sounds like a tight thriller.
I'll be honest – these Hollywood festival announcements feel so distant from India sometimes. But credit where due: the Taormina lineup with Jane Campion and Helen Mirren is genuinely impressive. Hope 'Bear Country' has some real punch, not just star power.
Okay but the name 'Manco Kapak' – is that supposed to be an Incan reference? That's actually cool if they're going for something indigenous. Russell Crowe always brings that intensity. Let's see if this matches 'Unhinged' or surpasses it. 🔥
Taormina is a gorgeous spot for a premiere – saw pics from past events there. The mix of ancient and modern is unique. With Campion, Mirren, and Hunter involved, this festival is shaping up nicely. Hope they live-stream some of it for fans outside Italy! 🤞
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