Nicolas Winding Refn & Daniel Blumberg at Sounds Like a Movie

The intersection of cinema and sound will take center stage in Milan as Italy’s CAM Sugar label prepares to launch its inaugural Sounds Like a Movie (SLAM) festival. This three-day event is set to bring together renowned figures from the film and music industries, with acclaimed director Nicolas Winding Refn and Oscar-winning composer Daniel Blumberg confirmed as prominent guests. Aiming to celebrate the profound impact of film scores, SLAM promises a rich program of live performances, screenings, panels, masterclasses, and workshops.

The Genesis of SLAM: CAM Sugar’s Vision

The Sounds Like a Movie (SLAM) festival is an initiative by the Italian label CAM Sugar, an entity boasting the world’s largest catalog of Italian film soundtracks. With over 2,500 original titles, CAM Sugar’s legacy includes iconic compositions by masters like Nino Rota for Federico Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” and “8 1/2,” as well as “Morricone Segreto” an album drawing on Ennio Morricone’s experimental compositions. This inaugural event, scheduled for November 14-16 at the Triennale Milano museum, also coincides with CAM Sugar’s 65th anniversary, marking a significant milestone for the label.

Filippo Sugar, CEO of Sugar Group, expressed the festival’s core mission, stating, “SLAM is a tangible example of what we are constantly working towards: enhancing not just the deep connection between music and images, but also between the people who carry out this precious cultural endeavor.” He further emphasized the ambition to establish Milan as an international hub for music and cinema through this event.

Distinguished Guests and Masterful Discussions

The festival’s lineup underscores its commitment to high-caliber discourse and artistic exploration. Among the notable attendees is vintage movies and soundtracks enthusiast Nicolas Winding Refn, known for his distinct cinematic style. He is slated to engage in an onstage conversation with genre films specialist Manlio Gomarasca.

Oscar-winning composer Daniel Blumberg, celebrated for his work on “The Brutalist,” will also be a key participant. Following a screening of “The Brutalist,” Blumberg will join Italian journalist Dario Zonta for a discussion about his score, which deftly blends experimental pieces with traditional genres like period jazz and famously concludes with the 1978 Italo disco hit “One for You, One for Me” by La Bionda.

Additionally, esteemed music supervisor Mary Ramos, recognized for her extensive collaborations with Quentin Tarantino, will participate. She, along with Holly Adams, Universal Music Group’s head of soundtrack and score, will converse with Dario Zonta about soundscapes within the “Cinematic World of Ennio Morricone”. The festival will also open with a panel on soundtrack preservation, featuring Gianluca Farinelli of Italy’s Bologna Film Archives, Stéphane Lerouge of Universal Music France, and CAM Sugar’s Andrea Fabrizii.

Celebrating Cinematic Sound: Screenings and Live Performances

Beyond engaging discussions, SLAM will feature a vibrant program of screenings and live musical showcases. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the film “The Brutalist,” providing context for Daniel Blumberg’s compositional insights.

The live events further highlight the festival’s dedication to the art of film music. Multi-hyphenate Emile Mosseri, who composed the 2021 Oscar-nominated soundtrack for “Minari,” is scheduled to perform. Also performing is Dustin O’Halloran, an Emmy winner for his title theme to Prime Video’s “Transparent”. Rounding out the live musical offerings will be a set by Italian trance music producer Lorenzo Senni. These performances will offer a diverse sonic experience, spanning various genres and illustrating the breadth of contemporary film scoring.

A Hub for Film Music

The Sounds Like a Movie Festival, spearheaded by CAM Sugar, represents a significant cultural endeavor aimed at deepening the appreciation for film music and its creators. By bringing together luminaries like Nicolas Winding Refn and Daniel Blumberg, alongside a diverse array of artists and industry experts, SLAM is poised to foster dialogue, inspire creativity, and reinforce Milan’s position as an important center for cinematic and musical arts. The festival’s focus on preservation, discussion, and live performance underscores the enduring power and evolving nature of soundtracks in storytelling.