Rome applauds Sophia Loren

When the Rome Film Festival forgot to invite Sophia Loren for its first edition last year, she was said to be furious at the snub.

This year, organizers made good by giving Loren a lifetime achievement award and scheduling a series of events to honor the half-century career of an actress who has been called Italy’s best-known export after pasta.

“It’s the first time I have had a career award in Italy; I hope I deserve it,” said the 73-year-old Oscar-winning star.

Friday was “Loren Day” at the festival, with the actress answering questions from 700 fans and the screening of “Marriage Italian Style,” one of her most famous films, kicking off a retrospective of her works.