Oscar-winning Crash director-screenwriter Paul Haggis couldn't be happier after jetting in to Ischia for the idyllic island's renowned music and film festival. "Italy is my favourite country and the Ischia Global Fest is the world event of the summer," says the Ontario-born luminary - who has been picked as chairman of the fifth annual event which runs until July 15.
The dad-of-four, who recently completed directing Charlize Theron and Tommy Lee Jones in a film about US troops in Iraq entitled In The Valley Of Elah, joined Sheryl Crow at the event. The new mum - who won this year's Ischia Music Award together with Italian pop star Laura Pausini - brought along adopted son Wyatt for the fun.
Actress Laura Dern and Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli also joined the A-list throng on the isle in the Gulf of Naples - which not only attracts the stars for its summer festival but the beautiful sunsets, vast seascape and exquisite cuisine. In addition, Ischia is known as being the film location for various silver screen hits including Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor's Cleopatra as well as the more recent The Talented Mr Ripley featuring Jude Law.
Other big names expected to arrive there this week to accept awards include Million Dollar Baby's Hilary Swank, British thespian Sir Ben Kingsley, top directors Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Oliver Stone, opera singer Pavarotti and Canadian-born music producer David Foster.
Photo: Wireimage
Photo: Wireimage
