Film at Lincoln Center honors Monica Vitti with retrospective featuring restored classics

Photo Courtesy of Archivio Luce-Cinecittà

A retrospective dedicated to the films of Italian cinema icon Monica Vitti will be held from June 6 to June 19 at Lincoln Center in New York City.

The 14-film series, titled "Monica Vitti: La Modernista," is presented by Film at Lincoln Center and Cinecittà and marks the first North American retrospective celebrating Vitti's 35-year career.

"We are pleased to partner with Cinecittà to celebrate one of Italy's most revered actresses," said Film at Lincoln Center Vice President of Programming Florence Almozini. "It is a privilege to present decades' worth of films from Monica Vitti's illustrious and prolific career, especially with many restored versions of her legendary works."

Monica Vitti, a key figure in film history, began her career in the mid-1950s and quickly became a captivating presence on screen. Her collaboration with director Michelangelo Antonioni produced memorable films in the 1960s, including his trilogy consisting of "L'avventura" (1960), "La notte"(1961) and "L’eclisse" (1962).

In addition to her work with Antonioni, Vitti collaborated with many leading filmmakers in Italian cinema, such as Ettore Scola, Alberto Sordi, and Mario Monicelli.

"L'avventura" directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, Photo Courtesy of Cinecittà

"When we began discussing the idea of a retrospective dedicated to Monica Vitti—together with our Department for the Promotion of Classic Cinema and our longtime partner, Film at Lincoln Center—the first question we asked ourselves was which films to present to the American audience," said President of Cinecittà Chiara Sbarigia. "We curated a selection that truly showcases the remarkable and versatile talent of Monica Vitti, who effortlessly transitioned between sparkling comedies and auteur cinema."

"L'avventura" directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, Photo Courtesy of Cinecittà

Born Maria Luisa Ceciarelli in Rome in 1931, Vitti pursued acting as a teenager. She started in amateur theater before her formal training at Rome's National Academy of Dramatic Arts. Shortly after graduating in 1953, she toured Germany with an Italian acting troupe and then returned to her hometown to appear onstage. Her first major film role was in Mario Amendola's 1958 "Le dritte."

Her breakout role came just two years later in Antonioni's "L'avventura" as the beautiful and aloof Claudia. Over the course of nearly four decades, she appeared in 55 films, leaving a legacy that continues to be celebrated in Italy and around the world. She died in 2015 at the age of 90, leaving a legacy that is honored in Italy and throughout the world.

If you are not able to attend the series, some films featured in the retrospective are available to stream. The Criterion Channel in particular has a collection of her films and an interview in which she talks about her work. Click here to view the selection.

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