A WEEK OF ITALIAN CINEMA as part of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Italian Unity: the Cinémathèque hosts a selection of films representing the new Italian cinema, in collaboration with Filmitalia.
VIVA L’ITALIA! from April 26 to 30 at the Cinémathèque of Nice.
Selection of films and presentation of the evening by GIORGIO GOSETTI, film historian, critic, author, and festival organizer.
Giorgio Gosetti presents this Italian week not to be missed by genre enthusiasts: “There are several ways to celebrate an anniversary as contradictory as the 150 years of Italian Unity: we have placed ourselves under the sign of comedy and testimony. A smile, as it is the most beloved and recognized genre of our cinema (and our society), testimony due to the importance of the moment.
Five films to tell the story of the country, a new generation of filmmakers, a gallery of actors who reconnect with the tradition of the greatest, a not-so-folkloric image of Italy stretching from Naples to Turin. A documentary symbolizes in this selection the anniversary that Italy offers itself for the 150 years of a unity challenged and debated, but which has given everyone unexpected and warm pride: it is called Niente paura and Piergiorgio Gay wanted to tell the story of our Constitution, the founding document of the Republic, by following the tour of a rock star, Luciano Ligabue. A strange journey for a trip to the roots of our recent history; and yet, as it is to the young that we must speak nowadays to regain an informed and modern national consciousness, what better than rock?
For the rest, a film represents our cinematic tradition close to social themes but capable of turning into a metaphor for human tragedy: Amore, a Viscontian fresco of a tradition rushing towards oblivion. From Naples to Turin, precisely…
And then, comedy, the royal genre of our cinema from the beginning… The Monicelli, Risi, Germi are no longer here and the new generation is seeking its path between popular consensus and fidelity to tradition. A chaotic image of today with thieves, blossoming young girls, brutes, dirty and nasty characters who make you laugh and yet resemble so much those seen on the other side of the border: images of a country so close and yet so far that it is worth rediscovering. Come on, ladies and gentlemen, for a visit to the land of farce and smiles. There is something to be surprised about!
A big thank you to Filmitalia and the rights holders of the films presented for their support and kind collaboration.”
