Squalor.
That's what hit me the most as I watched "Gomorra," the Italian movie based on Roberto Saviano's book on the Naples mafia. (It's playing at the Landmark Theater in Midtown here in Atlanta, as well as at other independent theaters across the U.S.)
The people in "Gomorra" live in utter squalor.
Saviano, the author, said in an interview that the film would probably be eye-opening for American movie-goers who are accustomed to seeing bell'Italia. He's right -- in so many ways.
Even the Italians in the film are squalid. In real life and in the movies, Italians are typically attractive, well-dressed and kempt -- the very definition of the bella figura.
But in "Gomorra," whose title plays on the biblical place Gomorrah and the name of the Naples crime syndicate, Camorra, most of the men are fat, slovenly, poorly-dressed and just plain ugly. And the woman aren't much better.
I don't say this to be mean; I say it to indicate just how different Gomorra world is from the rest of Italy.
The housing projects shown in the movie paint a portrait of desperation that would be hard to exaggerate. No gondolas, no spaghetti alle vongole, no stately museums here. Just depressing, run-down, squalid tenement blocks where people live as though in jail cells for fear of leaving the house and meeting a bullet.
While watching the movie, I remembered that when I was reading the book, I would forget at times that all the people, all the scenarios, all the scenes were real. I think I would forget because it just seems so unreal.
Some of the best scenes in the movie are the ones that show the subtle differences in the lives of many people in the Naples area.
For example, there's a scene where one of the main characters, Pasquale, who works as a tailor in the Camorra-controlled textile industry, sees that a dress he slaved over was worn by Scarlett Johansson to the Academy Awards. He's briefly pleased, and looks around for a moment, and then realizes there's no one he can tell.
I also think it shows a new dimension in mob movies (or indeed, mob reality). This mob doesn't just control the flow of cigarettes or drugs or weapons. It controls textiles!
The movie continues at the Landmark in Atlanta. For more information on the film, go here:
http://www.ifcfilms.com/viewFilm.htm?filmId=1196/
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
25 Reasons to Study a Foreign Language
While I was poking around Auburn University's Web site, I found this interesting list about the importance of studying a foreign language:
Foreign Language study creates more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different.
Analytical skills improve when students study a foreign language.
Business skills plus foreign language skills make an employee more valuable in the marketplace.
Dealing with another culture enables people to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture.
Creativity is increased with the study of foreign languages.
Graduates often cite foreign language courses as some of the most valuable courses in college because of the communication skills developed in the process.
International travel is made easier and more pleasant through knowing a foreign language.
Skills like problem solving, dealing with abstract concepts, are increased when you study a foreign language.
Foreign language study enhances one’s opportunities in government, business, medicine, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, etc.
A second language improves your skills and grades in math and English and on the SAT and GRE.
Four out of five new jobs in the U.S. are created as a result of foreign trade.
Foreign languages provide a competitive edge in career choices: one is able to communicate in a second language.
Foreign language study enhances listening skills and memory.
One participates more effectively and responsibly in a multi-cultural world if one knows another language.
Your marketable skills in the global economy are improved if you master another language.
Foreign language study offers a sense of the past: culturally and linguistically.
The study of a foreign tongue improves the knowledge of one’s own language: English vocabulary skills increase.
The study of foreign languages teaches and encourages respect for other peoples: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature.
Foreign languages expand one’s view of the world, liberalize one’s experiences, and make one more flexible and tolerant.
Foreign languages expand one’s world view and limit the barriers between people: barriers cause distrust and fear.
Foreign language study leads to an appreciation of cultural diversity.
As immigration increases we need to prepare for changes in the American society.
One is at a distinct advantage in the global market if one is as bilingual as possible.
Foreign languages open the door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, film, philosophy, science…
Foreign language study is simply part of a very basic liberal education: to “educate” is to lead out, to lead out of confinement and narrowness and darkness.
Foreign Language study creates more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different.
Analytical skills improve when students study a foreign language.
Business skills plus foreign language skills make an employee more valuable in the marketplace.
Dealing with another culture enables people to gain a more profound understanding of their own culture.
Creativity is increased with the study of foreign languages.
Graduates often cite foreign language courses as some of the most valuable courses in college because of the communication skills developed in the process.
International travel is made easier and more pleasant through knowing a foreign language.
Skills like problem solving, dealing with abstract concepts, are increased when you study a foreign language.
Foreign language study enhances one’s opportunities in government, business, medicine, law, technology, military, industry, marketing, etc.
A second language improves your skills and grades in math and English and on the SAT and GRE.
Four out of five new jobs in the U.S. are created as a result of foreign trade.
Foreign languages provide a competitive edge in career choices: one is able to communicate in a second language.
Foreign language study enhances listening skills and memory.
One participates more effectively and responsibly in a multi-cultural world if one knows another language.
Your marketable skills in the global economy are improved if you master another language.
Foreign language study offers a sense of the past: culturally and linguistically.
The study of a foreign tongue improves the knowledge of one’s own language: English vocabulary skills increase.
The study of foreign languages teaches and encourages respect for other peoples: it fosters an understanding of the interrelation of language and human nature.
Foreign languages expand one’s view of the world, liberalize one’s experiences, and make one more flexible and tolerant.
Foreign languages expand one’s world view and limit the barriers between people: barriers cause distrust and fear.
Foreign language study leads to an appreciation of cultural diversity.
As immigration increases we need to prepare for changes in the American society.
One is at a distinct advantage in the global market if one is as bilingual as possible.
Foreign languages open the door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, film, philosophy, science…
Foreign language study is simply part of a very basic liberal education: to “educate” is to lead out, to lead out of confinement and narrowness and darkness.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Lucca: A Walled City in Tuscany Clings to Its Ancient Menu
From The New York Times:
Lucca Journal
A Walled City in Tuscany Clings to Its Ancient Menu
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: March 13, 2009
A prohibition on ethnic restaurants in Lucca’s historical center has set off a tug of war between the romantic Italy of the popular imagination and the more complex reality.
>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/world/europe/13lucca.html
Lucca Journal
A Walled City in Tuscany Clings to Its Ancient Menu
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: March 13, 2009
A prohibition on ethnic restaurants in Lucca’s historical center has set off a tug of war between the romantic Italy of the popular imagination and the more complex reality.
>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/world/europe/13lucca.html
I miei
I miei genitori sono arrivati ieri qui ad Atlanta e in questi giorni mi impegnerò totalmente a portarli a giro per la città.
Oggi andiamo allo zoo così mia madre può vedere la panda gigante.
Domani si va al museo e poi domenica facciamo una visita al giardino botanico.
Speriamo che il tempo sia bello!
Vi auguro un buon fine settimana. A presto!
Oggi andiamo allo zoo così mia madre può vedere la panda gigante.
Domani si va al museo e poi domenica facciamo una visita al giardino botanico.
Speriamo che il tempo sia bello!
Vi auguro un buon fine settimana. A presto!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
See Benigni in New York! (And Boston and Chicago)
You may remember that I gushed over a program called TuttoDante in which comedian Roberto Benigni recited Dante's Divine Comedy from memory and then provided extremely funny commentary on the verses.
Well that show is coming to New York!!!! (And Boston and Chicago)
Non ci posso credere!
I had seen TuttoDante on RAI International and thought it was just one-of-a-kind. An extremely literate, brilliant comedian explaining the subtleties of Dante. And along the way throwing in some inimitable gestures and comments in Tuscan dialect like only Benigni can.
(In the program I saw, he was performing in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence in front of the Dante statue, about two blocks from where I used to live....*sigh*).
It certainly will show a side of Benigni that may not be familiar to American viewers. We know him from films such as "Johnny Stecchino" and "The Pink Panther," and from his stunt standing on chairs when he was won the Best Actor Oscar for "Life is Beautiful."
I've heard some Italians grumble about the tour, I suppose because some people may say he is dumbing the work down. All I know is he is funny and he's bringing Dante back out into the public domain, where it belongs.
Non ti preoccupare: The American shows will include English subtitles.
Tickets go on sale today.
If you want information or tickets, you can find everything here: http://www.massimogallotta.com/index.php
Godi!
Well that show is coming to New York!!!! (And Boston and Chicago)
Non ci posso credere!
I had seen TuttoDante on RAI International and thought it was just one-of-a-kind. An extremely literate, brilliant comedian explaining the subtleties of Dante. And along the way throwing in some inimitable gestures and comments in Tuscan dialect like only Benigni can.
(In the program I saw, he was performing in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence in front of the Dante statue, about two blocks from where I used to live....*sigh*).
It certainly will show a side of Benigni that may not be familiar to American viewers. We know him from films such as "Johnny Stecchino" and "The Pink Panther," and from his stunt standing on chairs when he was won the Best Actor Oscar for "Life is Beautiful."
I've heard some Italians grumble about the tour, I suppose because some people may say he is dumbing the work down. All I know is he is funny and he's bringing Dante back out into the public domain, where it belongs.
Non ti preoccupare: The American shows will include English subtitles.
Tickets go on sale today.
If you want information or tickets, you can find everything here: http://www.massimogallotta.com/index.php
Godi!
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Pizza fatta in casa
Questa settimana abbiamo preparato la pizza per cena. Era buonissima!
Nota bene: You can buy pizza dough here in Atlanta at Trader Joe's if you don't want to make it yourself!
Friday, March 06, 2009
Il sole è tornato!
Meno male! Non ce la facevo più col freddo.
Oggi qui ad Atlanta la temperatura dovrebbe raggiungere 21 gradi! Ed a Firenze, invece, 18 gradi oggi, secondo la mia cara amica Ilaria.
Il bel tempo fa molto piacere alla mia gattona, Fiona, che si vede nella foto.
Vi auguro un buon fine settimana e spero che vi possiate permettere qualche ora fuori sotto il sole!
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Dove abito io: nuove foto
Ecco qualche foto che ho scattato nel cimitero vicino casa mia in Atlanta. Forse vi sembra un po' strano che vado a spasso in un cimitero ma è più come un parco, come forse potete vedere. Si chiama Oakland Cemetery.
*
*
Una veduta delle case in una zona della città che si chiama Cabbagetown, vicino il cimitero.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Dante Moment of The Day...Ce la facciamo!
When last we visited our friend Dante, he was describing the poor souls who die "under the wrath of God," as Ciaran Carson wrote in his 2002 translation.
Today we crack open Canto IV, where Virgil is guiding Dante further into inferno, to what he calls the "cieco mondo." Non ci posso credere!
Ruppemi l'alto sonno ne la testa
un greve truono, sì ch'io mi riscossi
come persona ch'è per forza desta;
e l'occhio riposato intorno mossi,
dritto levato, e fiso riguardai
per conoscer lo loco dov' io fossi.
Vero è che 'n su la proda mi trovai
de la valle d'abisso dolorosa
che 'ntrono accoglie d'infiniti guai.
Oscura e profonda era e nebulosa
tanto che, per ficcar lo viso a fondo,
io non vi discernea alcuna cosa.
«Or discendiam qua giù nel cieco mondo»,
cominciò il poeta tutto smorto.
«Io sarò primo, e tu sarai secondo».
Dante's Inferno, Canto IV, 1-15
If you need to see where we left off, go to the post I wrote on Jan. 12.
Grazie per averci seguito!
Today we crack open Canto IV, where Virgil is guiding Dante further into inferno, to what he calls the "cieco mondo." Non ci posso credere!
Ruppemi l'alto sonno ne la testa
un greve truono, sì ch'io mi riscossi
come persona ch'è per forza desta;
e l'occhio riposato intorno mossi,
dritto levato, e fiso riguardai
per conoscer lo loco dov' io fossi.
Vero è che 'n su la proda mi trovai
de la valle d'abisso dolorosa
che 'ntrono accoglie d'infiniti guai.
Oscura e profonda era e nebulosa
tanto che, per ficcar lo viso a fondo,
io non vi discernea alcuna cosa.
«Or discendiam qua giù nel cieco mondo»,
cominciò il poeta tutto smorto.
«Io sarò primo, e tu sarai secondo».
Dante's Inferno, Canto IV, 1-15
If you need to see where we left off, go to the post I wrote on Jan. 12.
Grazie per averci seguito!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Top 5 Italian Rock Songs
My friend Laura said the Jovanotti concert in New York last week was great and it got me thinking......
Top 5 Italian rock songs (in random order):
"Inno Nazionale" -- Luca Carboni
"Spirito" -- Litfiba
"Ragazzo Fortunato" -- Jovanotti
"La Canzone del Sole" -- Lucio Battisti
"America" -- Gianna Nannini
Si? No? Fatevi sentire.
You could also easily make the argument that it's "Certe notti" by Ligabue.
Or "Hai un momento, Dio?" (Also by Ligabue)
Maybe one more by Ligabue: I love "Urlando control il cielo."
Italian rock is an acquired taste, but once acquired, it's shot through with memories of the days you've spent in Il Bel Paese.
-30-
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Conversazione in Atlanta @ Emory
Un po' di novità da queste parti.
Ho cominciato a fare un corso d'italiano che si punta totalmente su conversazione.
Il corso si fa a Emory University qui ad Atlanta, e si incontra sabato mattina.
Parliamo di cinema, di libri e di tante altre cose. (Si fa anche un po' di grammatica; ora si sta ripassando il passato remoto. Aiuto!)
E' bello!
Tutti gli altri studenti sono come me -- appassionati della lingua italiana.
C'è una cantante di lirica fra gli studenti, e un professore di lingue.
Poi c'è la maestra: Antonella. Lei è di Roma, ed è molto brava! Molto simpatica, alla mano, sempre pronta a sorridere.
Per mantenere una padronanza della lingua, ho bisogno sempre di practica, e questo corso me la da.
O ragazzi, posso cambiare casa 6 volte nel giro di 12 anni. Posso accettare che mi sto invecchiando. Posso anche, per quanto mi pare, stare senza lavoro.
Ma non posso mai abbandonare lo studio d'italiano!
Interested? Go here:
http://cll.emory.edu/eate/index.cfm
Ho cominciato a fare un corso d'italiano che si punta totalmente su conversazione.
Il corso si fa a Emory University qui ad Atlanta, e si incontra sabato mattina.
Parliamo di cinema, di libri e di tante altre cose. (Si fa anche un po' di grammatica; ora si sta ripassando il passato remoto. Aiuto!)
E' bello!
Tutti gli altri studenti sono come me -- appassionati della lingua italiana.
C'è una cantante di lirica fra gli studenti, e un professore di lingue.
Poi c'è la maestra: Antonella. Lei è di Roma, ed è molto brava! Molto simpatica, alla mano, sempre pronta a sorridere.
Per mantenere una padronanza della lingua, ho bisogno sempre di practica, e questo corso me la da.
O ragazzi, posso cambiare casa 6 volte nel giro di 12 anni. Posso accettare che mi sto invecchiando. Posso anche, per quanto mi pare, stare senza lavoro.
Ma non posso mai abbandonare lo studio d'italiano!
Interested? Go here:
http://cll.emory.edu/eate/index.cfm
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
L'Anno del Futurismo
If you read the blog for any length of time, you may know that my favorite movement in Italian art is Futurismo, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
In fact, the original text that launched the political philosophy, of which the art movement was a part, was published on this day in 1909 in Le Figaro.
Some of the key figures in the art movement that was part of Futurismo are painters Umberto Boccioni, Giacomo Balla and Carlo Carrà.
Cultural groups across Italy have already begun marking the occasion with exhibits and other activities.
Milan, the city where Futurismo was born, is taking the lead with a number of key exhibits, including one at the Palazzo Reale called "Futurismo 1909-2009 Velocità + Arte + Azione."
The exhibit will include 400 paintings, drawings, photos and works of sculpture, among other objects. There will also be another exhibit called "Futurismo 100: Simultaneità," at Palazzo Reale that launches in October.
There's also an exhibit at Palazzo delle Stelline about Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, the thinker behind the movement which was concerned primarily with modernity, speed and industrialism.
If you plan to be in Milan, definitely take part. If nothing else, you could wander over to the Pinacoteca di Brera, which has as part of its permanent collection some of Boccioni's masterpieces.
Can't go to Milan? Well the Museum of Modern Art in New York owns several key Boccioni sculptures as well as other Futurist works.
In fact, the original text that launched the political philosophy, of which the art movement was a part, was published on this day in 1909 in Le Figaro.
Some of the key figures in the art movement that was part of Futurismo are painters Umberto Boccioni, Giacomo Balla and Carlo Carrà.
Cultural groups across Italy have already begun marking the occasion with exhibits and other activities.
Milan, the city where Futurismo was born, is taking the lead with a number of key exhibits, including one at the Palazzo Reale called "Futurismo 1909-2009 Velocità + Arte + Azione."
The exhibit will include 400 paintings, drawings, photos and works of sculpture, among other objects. There will also be another exhibit called "Futurismo 100: Simultaneità," at Palazzo Reale that launches in October.
There's also an exhibit at Palazzo delle Stelline about Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, the thinker behind the movement which was concerned primarily with modernity, speed and industrialism.
If you plan to be in Milan, definitely take part. If nothing else, you could wander over to the Pinacoteca di Brera, which has as part of its permanent collection some of Boccioni's masterpieces.
Can't go to Milan? Well the Museum of Modern Art in New York owns several key Boccioni sculptures as well as other Futurist works.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Berlusconi and the "Scomparsa Dei Fatti"
I'm posting a story about a lawyer who was found guilty in Italy this week of taking a bribe in exchange for giving false testimony in a trial against Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The story appeared in yesterday's New York Times; I was not going to post the story here because it just seems like more of the same.
But then my friend Ilaria forwarded me an email from Italy with the subject line: "La Scomparsa dei Fatti" ("The Disappearance of the Facts"), which says that stories about the conviction were conspicuously absent from news broadcasts and newspapers in Italy, where Berlusconi controls much of the media.
So here's the story out in the light where it belongs.
Italy Finds Lawyer Guilty of Taking a Bribe in Exchange for Protecting the Premier
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: February 18, 2009
David Mills was found guilty of taking $600,000 to provide false testimony in two trials involving Italy’s prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi.
>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/world/europe/18italy.html
The story appeared in yesterday's New York Times; I was not going to post the story here because it just seems like more of the same.
But then my friend Ilaria forwarded me an email from Italy with the subject line: "La Scomparsa dei Fatti" ("The Disappearance of the Facts"), which says that stories about the conviction were conspicuously absent from news broadcasts and newspapers in Italy, where Berlusconi controls much of the media.
So here's the story out in the light where it belongs.
Italy Finds Lawyer Guilty of Taking a Bribe in Exchange for Protecting the Premier
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: February 18, 2009
David Mills was found guilty of taking $600,000 to provide false testimony in two trials involving Italy’s prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi.
>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/world/europe/18italy.html
"Gomorra" in Atlanta starting March 13
Good news!
"Gomorra," the film based on Roberto Saviano's bestselling book by the same name, comes to the Landmark Theater in Atlanta on Fri., March 13, and will run for a week.
I've written a few times here about the book and the movie, which opened last week in New York and Los Angeles. And the movie has now been reviewed in quite a few places in the U.S. (I provided a link to the review in the New York Times last week).
All of the reviews have been positive -- I think American reviewers are just so stunned by what they see. I think Ciambellina will be a bit stunned by what she sees even though she's read the book. That's because I think violence is even more unbearable to watch on-screen when you know it's true.
What happens in "Gomorra" really happens in some of the neighborhoods of Naples and Caserta.
Anyway, here's a link to a review of "Gomorra" in The New Yorker:
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2009/02/23/090223crci_cinema_lane
I'm so glad the film is coming to Atlanta! I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of Italian films in Atlanta.
Ci vediamo al cinema!
"Gomorra," the film based on Roberto Saviano's bestselling book by the same name, comes to the Landmark Theater in Atlanta on Fri., March 13, and will run for a week.
I've written a few times here about the book and the movie, which opened last week in New York and Los Angeles. And the movie has now been reviewed in quite a few places in the U.S. (I provided a link to the review in the New York Times last week).
All of the reviews have been positive -- I think American reviewers are just so stunned by what they see. I think Ciambellina will be a bit stunned by what she sees even though she's read the book. That's because I think violence is even more unbearable to watch on-screen when you know it's true.
What happens in "Gomorra" really happens in some of the neighborhoods of Naples and Caserta.
Anyway, here's a link to a review of "Gomorra" in The New Yorker:
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2009/02/23/090223crci_cinema_lane
I'm so glad the film is coming to Atlanta! I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of Italian films in Atlanta.
Ci vediamo al cinema!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Jovanotti @ New York
UPDATE: I know a lucky bastard who lives in New York and is attending the Jovanotti show tonight: my friend Laura! So maybe Laura will be able to share her impressions of the concert with Ciambellina readers. Divertiti cara amica! I hope he plays "Ragazzo Fortunato" -- my favorite Jovanotti song.
Italian rapper/singer/DJ Jovanotti is in New York this week!
You lucky bastards who live in New York can see him play tonight! Italian students at NYU will get a chance to hear his thoughts later in the week.
Here's an excerpt from Jovanotti's blog (http://www.soleluna.com/), with details about his stops in and around the city:
JOVA DJ-18 febbraio ore 20-CONCERTO all'HIGHLINE BALLROOM (in chelsea).Il concerto nel locale più "cool" della città è sold out ma in genere a New York un'ora prima dello show mettono fuori qualche biglietto.
19 febbraio-Ore 17.00-ISTUTUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA (park avenue-uptown manhattan). Lorenzo e il giornalista Pier Negri parleranno di New York e di quello che questa città rappresenta per due del 66 cresciuti a pane e musica. Una bella chiacchierata aperta al pubblico (pochi posti disponibili,al massimo 200 quindi datevi una regolata se siete in città)
19 febbraio ore 20.00-CONCERTO a LE POISSON ROUGE (bleecker street-east village manhattan).Il secondo show a grande richiesta in un locale bellissimo e storico per il rock e la musica nuova (sold out ma vale il discorso del concerto precedente).
20 febbraio ore 18-NEW YORK UNIVERSITY-Lorenzo parlerà agli studenti dell'NYU interessati alla cultura italiana e alla scena pop in generale. Mostrerà i suoi video e parlerà con il Professore e Giornalista Antonio Monda (La Repubblica) della sua storia,del suo rapporto con l'immagine ecc. (ci saranno gli studenti di cinema). L'incontro è aperto anche a quelli che non sono studenti all'NYU ma che hanno piacere di esserci.
Italian rapper/singer/DJ Jovanotti is in New York this week!
You lucky bastards who live in New York can see him play tonight! Italian students at NYU will get a chance to hear his thoughts later in the week.
Here's an excerpt from Jovanotti's blog (http://www.soleluna.com/), with details about his stops in and around the city:
JOVA DJ-18 febbraio ore 20-CONCERTO all'HIGHLINE BALLROOM (in chelsea).Il concerto nel locale più "cool" della città è sold out ma in genere a New York un'ora prima dello show mettono fuori qualche biglietto.
19 febbraio-Ore 17.00-ISTUTUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA (park avenue-uptown manhattan). Lorenzo e il giornalista Pier Negri parleranno di New York e di quello che questa città rappresenta per due del 66 cresciuti a pane e musica. Una bella chiacchierata aperta al pubblico (pochi posti disponibili,al massimo 200 quindi datevi una regolata se siete in città)
19 febbraio ore 20.00-CONCERTO a LE POISSON ROUGE (bleecker street-east village manhattan).Il secondo show a grande richiesta in un locale bellissimo e storico per il rock e la musica nuova (sold out ma vale il discorso del concerto precedente).
20 febbraio ore 18-NEW YORK UNIVERSITY-Lorenzo parlerà agli studenti dell'NYU interessati alla cultura italiana e alla scena pop in generale. Mostrerà i suoi video e parlerà con il Professore e Giornalista Antonio Monda (La Repubblica) della sua storia,del suo rapporto con l'immagine ecc. (ci saranno gli studenti di cinema). L'incontro è aperto anche a quelli che non sono studenti all'NYU ma che hanno piacere di esserci.
Friday, February 13, 2009
NYT review of "Gomorra"
The book, a subject of several Ciambellina posts, is a from-the-ground-up look at the Camorra, the mob based in Naples, which as the title of the NYT article suggests, is lesser known than Sicily's Mafia -- but just as ferocious.
The article picks up on something Saviano himself said in an interview with NPR. Saviano thinks the film will be eye-opening to Americans, who see Italy as a fun vacation spot, not a country gripped in parts by organized crime syndicates that have devastated local economies.
Last but not least, it looks like my favorite independent theater in Atlanta will soon be showing "Gomorra." Stay tuned and enjoy the article!
Lesser-Known Mobsters, as Brutal as the Old Ones
By MANOHLA DARGIS
Published: February 13, 2009
http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/movies/13gomo.html
Sunday, February 08, 2009
NYT story on "Gomorra" director
The film adaptation of the Italian book "Gomorra," which I've written about here, finally comes out in New York and Los Angeles this week. When the film will come to Atlanta, non lo so, but hopefully soon.
The New York Times has a story today about the film's director Matteo Garrone.
Living Where Crime Conquers All
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: February 8, 2009
“Gomorrah” is an Italian look at how a criminal organization penetrates a culture.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/movies/08dona.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
Addendum
"Gomorrah" is receiving a lot of press in America as its release here nears. After the Times' story was published, NPR ran a story on the film, and the author of the book, Roberto Saviano, said something that I found interesting.
"I hope this movie will finally show people the ferocious face of Italy, which is the face that really runs things," Saviano says. "I think many American moviegoers will be surprised."
I think that's a brilliant statement. America often only sees the fun, the pasta, the coffee, the gondolas. But Italy's a real country with real problems.
The New York Times has a story today about the film's director Matteo Garrone.
Living Where Crime Conquers All
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: February 8, 2009
“Gomorrah” is an Italian look at how a criminal organization penetrates a culture.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/movies/08dona.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
Addendum
"Gomorrah" is receiving a lot of press in America as its release here nears. After the Times' story was published, NPR ran a story on the film, and the author of the book, Roberto Saviano, said something that I found interesting.
"I hope this movie will finally show people the ferocious face of Italy, which is the face that really runs things," Saviano says. "I think many American moviegoers will be surprised."
I think that's a brilliant statement. America often only sees the fun, the pasta, the coffee, the gondolas. But Italy's a real country with real problems.
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