This year’s San Diego Italian Film Festival began Oct. 16 and runs through Nov. 7 at the Museum of Photographic Arts’ elegant North Park Birch Theatre in Balboa Park, with the exception of Nov. 6 taking place at the Birch North Park Theatre. The first two weeks of screenings showcased films by Paolo Virzi. Virzi is a contemporary director keeping alive an Italian film movement from the ’60s that used a particular form of comedy or social satire, and hits both the heart and the mind. Virzi’s films were followed by eight consecutive nights of Italian movies that have all been produced within the last eight years.
The films exemplified great versatility: While one film centered on working-class characters struggling to find a means and a reason to live, another centered on the physical ailments and struggles of a manager who fires working-class people. Overall, the films tugged at the heart and mind and involved the audience in a way that Hollywood movies usually do not. The crowd was faced with pain and struggle while the films danced on the line between comedy and tragedy.
For the opening film, “La Bella Vita” by Virzi, MoPA’s theater was brimming with extra guests hoping to not be turned away. Guests who were already seated were waiting in good spirits for those who were standing to adjust to an obvious fact: There were no empty seats. Those young enough to sit comfortably on the floor were invited to do so, and the inaugurating film began as though Italian culture really had seeped into San Diego for a night.
Such enthusiastic attendance was made possible by the hard work and thoughtfulness of numerous contributors and collaborators. Because some reels cost $850 for shipping costs alone in order to receive the films directly from Italy, the directors all worked for no money. Still, the festival was free (with a suggested donation) except the Gala, which took place closing night.
Contributions were made by numerous institutions and individuals such as a board member of the SDIFF and San Diego State director of Italian language Clarissa Clo, who deemed the festival to be “truly a labor of love.” This labor of love brought some unique Italian films to San Diego, which were mellow and raw compared to the glamorized characters and solutions in Hollywood blockbusters.
For the viewer, exposure to these inescapable, thoroughly experienced emotions gives rise to a subtle sense of magic and a different kind of glamour.
Monthly films will continue to screen until next year’s festival. The schedule may be viewed at the festival Web site at www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com where a newsletter is also available for those who would like to be reminded of upcoming showings.
Be the first to comment on this article!