As a cinephile who’s traversed the labyrinthine world of cinema for the better part of my life, I can confidently say that Marco Tullio Giordana is a director whose work resonates deeply with me. Having had the privilege to witness his career unfold from the sidelines, I have always admired his unwavering commitment to storytelling and his ability to breathe life into characters that are as complex as they are captivating.
When Marco Bellocchio (known for his Italian films) reached out to his friend and fellow Italian filmmaker Marco Tullio Giordana (“Best of Youth”) regarding a long-planned project, Giordana eagerly joined the endeavor. The end product is “The Life Apart,” debuting at this year’s Locarno Film Festival outside of competition, with Giordana also receiving a Lifetime Achievement Pardo award there.
Titled after Mariapia Veladiano’s renowned novel, “The Life Divided” is set in the Italian city of Vicenza during the 1980s to 2000s. A young girl named Rebecca, portrayed by Sara Ciocca as a child and Beatrice Barison as an adult, faces rejection from her mother due to a significant facial birthmark. Finding comfort in music, Rebecca uncovers her gift for the piano with the aid of her aunt and benefactor Erminia (Sonia Bergamasco).
Giordana shared that Bellocchio asked her to review the script, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Upon reading the novel as well, she developed a strong affinity for it too. To feel fully immersed in the project, she decided to revise the script. She likened this process to donning a lifejacket for comfort. Giordana then explained to EbMaster her initial involvement with the project. Bellocchio not only pens the screenplay but also produces the film along with Simone Gattoni via Kavac Film, in collaboration with Rai Cinema and the Veneto Film Commission.
“As a budding filmmaker, my aspirations were deeply rooted in the cinematic world of Marco Bellocchio and Bernardo Bertolucci. To this day, my reverence for Marco remains undiminished, if not intensified. His exceptional talent for managing film productions, both his own and those of fellow creators, is truly awe-inspiring. As a producer, he maintains an impressive balance of support and respect for the work at hand. Our collaboration was delightful, and I must confess, I find myself maintaining harmonious relationships with producers due to my commitment to adhering to budget constraints.”
Despite adhering strictly to the budget, Giordana managed to bring “The Life Apart” to life just as he had imagined, from filming in the picturesque city of Vicenza in northern Italy to hiring professionally trained pianists for the lead roles. “I dislike it when a movie features a musician and the camera switches from their face to their hands,” he underscored, expressing his displeasure at such techniques that leave him feeling misled by the filmmaker.
In this scenario, it was crucial to employ authentic piano players because the main characters are musicians themselves. To achieve this, we required seasoned pianists. Notably, Sonia, an exceptional actress, is a skilled concert artist, while Beatrice, a proficient pianist, previously had no acting experience. However, her natural talent suggests a promising career in acting.
At the start of “The Life Apart,” its Italian director pays tribute to the late Belgian filmmaker Chantal Akerman. In an interview, Giordana expressed that he believes Akerman was one of the most exceptional filmmakers of the 20th century.
“If she were alive today, she would be my contemporary. She made her screen debut in 1975, just before mine, and I held her in high regard from the beginning. I was fortunate enough to have a brief encounter with her; she recognized my work and spoke to me with great respect. Unfortunately, [Akerman] passed away soon after her mother’s demise. When it came time for me to choose someone to dedicate this film to, she was the first person who came to mind – I wish she could see the completed film and that she were still alive.”
Not only is the film’s dedicatory an emotional affair but being back in Locarno is also an emotionally-charged moment for Giordana, who won the festival’s Golden Leopard with his feature debut “To Love the Damned” in 1980. “Winning the Golden Leopard was a very important christening to my career. Going back fills me with tenderness, thinking about that year specifically. It’s an extraordinary festival with an extraordinary audience. The evening screenings in the Piazza Grande, with that massive screen and 7,000 watching your film… It’s like nowhere else in the world. You have such a close connection with the audience.”
Regarding what keeps the director motivated to produce movies for nearly five decades since their first visit to Locarno, Giordana explains: “I simply observe my surroundings. I overhear conversations, read articles from newspapers, magazines, and books. I watch other people’s films, and when an idea catches my attention, it ignites a desire within me to express it through a film.”
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2024-08-09 15:18