Naples will be a dominant presence
at this year's Venice Film Festival: a contemporary one that
takes a close look at its problems, sometimes even jokes about
them in a grotesque manner while seeking redemption, unique in
its marvels and pain amid attempts to shed stereotypes.
There will be at least 7 films in the various sections
focusing on the city.
Naples has long been a cinematic 'rival' of the capital and
for years has been experiencing a 'revival', spurred by such
television series as 'Gomorra' as well as 'Un Posto al Sole',
which has served as a training ground for many.
Companies in the city have proven able to attract important
productions as well as set up workshops and make costly
animation films.
Both well-known directors - Paolo Sorrentino and Mario
Martone, for example - and actors are associated with the city.
The 74th edition of the film festival will begin with the
competition for the Golden Lion. One of those in the running is
'Ammore e Malavita' by the Manetti Bros, a musical that has been
described by lead actress Serena Rossi as a film in which ''we
see a Naples different from that in 'Gomorra', which is instead
criticized. I play Fatima, a Scampia nurse with an afro who
meets Ciro O'Ninja (played by Manetti Bros's oft-used actor
Giampaolo Morelli), the right-hand man of the Camorra member
O'Re Do'Pesce (Carlo Buccirosso), married to Claudia Gerini. It
is a love story with a hilarious soundtrack.''
In Antonietta De Lillo's 'Il Signor Rotpeter', a
Kafka-inspired character walks the streets of Naples, the parks
of Molosiglio and the stairs of the Federico II University.
The Naples port with its merchandise being load and unloaded
and goods being loaded and shady dealings is at the center of
the animated drama film 'Cinderella the Cat' ('Gatta
Cenerentola') , starring Alessandro Rak, Ivan Cappiello, Marino
Guarnieri and Dario Sansone, made by team that produced 'The Art
of Happiness'.
The Disney version of the well-known fairy tale bears little
resemblance to this one, which takes its cue more from the fable
by Giambattista Basile and remakes it in a modern style, weaving
together love and a life of crime in a musical ghost story.
Other films that take place in the city that will be shown
include 'Il Cratere' by Silvia Luzi and Luca Bellino, 'Veleno'
by Diego Olivares, 'Nato a Casal di Principe' by Bruno Oliviero
and 'L'Equilibrio' by Vincenzo Marra.
photo: Claudia Gerini
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