The First Edition of the Matera Film Festival is Underway

The first edition of the Matera Film Festival is underway in the ancient stone city of Basilicata. A four day event featuring films from all over the world as well as books and art installations celebrating film, the festival is a physical event with social distancing measures in place. The first three days of the event count as the official film festival with the fourth to feature works focusing on culture, not in competition.

The festival was created by local filmmakers prolific in the international filmmaking scene that has exploded in recent years, inspiring the region’s nickname- “Basilicata: Land of Cinema.” Among them are actress Annarita del Piano, co-president (with Dario Toma) of the festival, actor and artistic director Nando Irene, creative director Silvio Giordano and producer Enzo Sisti who will serve as the honorary president.

Sisti is responsible for bringing international crews to Matera, starting with Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” up to the latest James Bond film, “No Time to Die.” Among the many films he has worked on are Richard Donner’s “Ladyhawke,” Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” Terry Gilliam’s “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen,” Martin Scorsese’s “Kundun” and “Gangs of New York,” Anthony Minghella’s “The Talent of Mr. Ripley” and the Academy Award winner “The English Patient.” His latest projects are “Wonder Woman” and the production of the first VR film ever made “Jesus - the Story of Christ.” Both were shot in Matera.

The festival opened on Thursday with the exhibit “Sassi, Nuvole e Lupi” (Stone, Clouds and Wolves), an installation dedicated to the city of the Sassi and the comic series “Dampyr.” The exhibition is divided into two spaces. The first will feature illustrations of scenes set in Matera, created for “Dampyr” by Alessio Fortunato and “Martin Mystere” by Giuseppe Palumbo. The second will feature excerpts from the book “Pasolini 1964 - Beyond Matera and the Mediterranean” by Palumbo, Maurizio Camerini and Alessandro Manna. The book combines illustrations by Palumbo with texts by Camerini and Alessandro Manna combined with unpublished photos by Mimì Notarangelo taken on the set of Pasolini’s film “The Gospel according to Matthew.”

Among the guests in attendance are actor Franco Nero, screenwriter Nicola Guaglianone, journalist and film critic Alberto Crespi and many regional actors who have had parts in various productions shot in the Sassi.

There are several interesting discussions planned with local artists, writers and filmmakers, including a masterclass on editing and special effects hosted by two renowned Italian filmmakers, Leonardo Cruciano and Marco Spoletini.

The four-day event runs through September 27. Follow this link to view the full program. https://www.materafilmfestival.it

Comments

The Legend of Alberto Sordi - Rome's Eternal Son

′′They will always judge you, whether you behave well or if you behave badly. So screw it and live as you want but above all don't listen to anyone.′′ - Alberto Sordi By giving his fellow Italians something to laugh about during tumultuous times, he emerged as his generation’s King of Comedy. One of Italy’s best-loved personalities, Alberto Sordi played a pivotal role in Italian cinema from the end of World War II to the postwar economic boom of the 1950s. During those tumultuous years, he gave his countrymen a hearty laugh when they might have otherwise cried. Former Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi perhaps said it best: “Alberto Sordi interpreted the feelings of Italians, especially in their most difficult and tough moments.” Born in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome in 1920, Sordi grew up in a creative household. His mother was an elementary school teacher and his father, a professional musician for the Rome Opera House. A young Sordi joined the children’s choir o...

Federico Fellini: A Look into the Life and Career of an Icon

A Fellini family portrait “The term became a common word to describe something on the surface you can say is bizarre or strange, but actually is really like a painter working on a film,” said Martin Scorsese when asked to define “Felliniesque,” an adjective inspired by one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. The oldest of three children, Federico Fellini was born in the seaside town of Rimini in 1920. His father was a traveling salesman, so his mother was left to do the bulk of raising the children. One can argue that Fellini was born for his destiny. “You could tell that even as a child, he was different and unique. He was very intelligent, well above average. He was always the one to organize things, direct the others, make up games. He could control the other kids with just a look, said Fellini’s sister, Maddalena, in an interview with journalist Gideon Bachmann. Not only was Fellini directing the children, but he was also putting on shows and charging ...

Martin Scorsese's Voyage to Italy

Martin Scorsese’s deeply personal documentary “My Voyage to Italy” is an exploration of Italian cinema and the films that shaped him as a director and storyteller. Released in 1999, the documentary is both a history lesson on Italian cinema and an autobiography of Scorsese’s childhood and artistic influences. Using family movies and actual footage, Scorsese begins by explaining how important movies were during his childhood in New York’s Little Italy. Because he suffered from asthma, he could not play outside often, so he spent much of his time watching films with his family. Italian cinema became a way for him to connect with his heritage and understand the lives, emotions, and struggles of not only Italian people but also his close relatives. He notes that these films were different from Hollywood movies because they felt more realistic and emotional. A large part of the documentary focuses on the Italian Neorealism film movement that emerged in the wake of World War II. The fil...

Alessandro Gassmann: Born to Act

Alessandro Gassmannin his directorial debut "Razzabastarda" Alessandro Gassmann is the son of the iconic Italian actor/director Vittorio Gassman and French actress Juliette Mayniel. He was born in 1965 and grew up around cinema royalty. He made his cinema debut in 1982 at the age of 17 in his father's autobiographical film, "Di padre in figlio." He went on to study his craft under his father's direction at the Theatre Workshop of Florence. Vittorio Gassman was very active in theater and seemed just as comfortable on stage as he did in front of the camera. Known for his powerful interpretations of Dante's "Inferno" and "Paradiso," it is no surprise that he nurtured his son's acting aspirations on stage before he launched his career in television and film. One of Gassmann's strong qualities, which he undoubtedly inherited from his father is his incredible range and ease in going from genre to genre. He can play ...

7 Days - 7 Women: Gina Lollobrigida

Update, January 16,2023: Gina Lollobrigida has passed away at the age of 95. On Day 3 of our week-long series, 7 Days - 7 Women, in which we are showcasing seven strong, talented women working as filmmakers, writers or visual artists, we celebrate the forceful, creative energy of movie legend Gina Lollobrigida. She has been called the most beautiful woman in the world and at 87 years old, she is still a sight to behold. Her outer beauty mirrors the talent and inner beauty of this true, complete artist. Lollobrigida, the iconic actress, photojournalist and sculptress, was born Luigina Lollobrigida on July 4, 1932 in Subiaco, Italy, a town located outside of Rome in the province of Lazio. Adored by fans all over the world, Lollobrigida has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood including Humphrey Bogart, Rock Hudson, Frank Sinatra, Anthony Quinn and Shelly Winters. She acted opposite Bob Hope in his 1968 comedy, "The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell," and...

Italian Cinema Today

Search This Blog