Introduction to Neorealism: Yesterday, Today Starts Wednesday 12 October 2011 18.30 – 20.30 8 weeks Italian Neorealism was undoubtedly one of the most revolutionary cinematic styles of the twentieth century, and despite being borne out of the ruins of the aftermath of World War II, Neorealism has continued to influence contemporary film directors, both within Italy and in the international film industry. This course will look at the distinguishing features which made Neorealism such a unique phenomenon and course participants will trace these features in contemporary films in order to explore the notion of a reinvigorated neo- neorealism. Beginner’s level - no prior knowledge necessary. Course tutor: Adalgisa Serio, freelance lecturer and writer, also working for the Open University and CDLCI. Week 1 Introduction – Roma Citta` Aperta (Rome, Open City) The Annexe Wed 12 Oct 18:30 – 20:30 We start by trying to illustrate the main features which characterise and define Neorealism using the most significant films as illustrative examples – from Bicycle Thieves (Ladri di Biciclette) by Vittorio De Sica, to The Earth will Tremble (La terra Trema) by Luchino Visconti. We will then concentrate to analyse Rossellini’s masterpiece “Roma Citta` Aperta” (1945), considered by most critics as the cinematic manifesto of Neorealism. Week 2 Roma Citta` Aperta (Rome, Open City) The Annexe Wed 19 Oct 18:30 – 20:30 Continue from week 1 Week 3 Screening: Paisà (Paisan) Cinema Wed 26 Oct 18:10 Dir Roberto Rossellini / IT 1946/ 120 mins Carmela Sazio, Gar Moore, William Tubbs, Robert Van Loon Part of Rossellini’s War trilogy, the film, for the content and cinematic choices, is one of the most powerful examples of Neorealism. Divided into six independent episodes, it follows the advance of the Allied troops from July 1943 to the winter of 1944, starting from Sicily, across the peninsula and up to the north. Among the screenwriters we find the young Federico Fellini. Week 4 La Battaglia di Algeri (The Battle of Algiers) The Annexe Wed 2 Nov 18:30 – 20:30 Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo in 1966, entirely shot on location in the original language (Arabic and French), and using non professional, local “actors”, the film is a striking product of directorial skills and an excellent example of post-neorealism. Based on true historical events which led to the independence of Algeria from France, and with the powerful film score of Ennio Morricone, the film captures the audience for its highly visual and emotional impact. Week 5 Lamerica The Annexe Wed 9 Nov 18:30 – 20:30 Directed in 1994 by Gianni Amelio, one of the contemporary Italian film directors more indebted to the “lesson” of Neorealism, together with the second screening of Gomorrah, this film is suitable to open a discussion on what we intend for Neorealism today and if it still possible to apply the same principles in a more contemporary scenario. Based on the aftermath of the fall of Communism in 1991 in Europe, the film, shot in Albania, is also an intriguing example of migrant cinema. Week 6 Lamerica and introduction to Gomorrah The Annexe Wed 16 Nov 18:30 – 20:30 We will continue the discussion generated from last week introducing also examples from next week screening of Gomorrah. Up to which point can we still review and rate contemporary films on a cinematic style which doomed to be confined to only three years of justified existence (1945- 1948)? Week 7 Screening: Gomorrah Cinema Wed 23 Nov 18:00 Dir Matteo Garrone / IT 2008 / 137 mins Gianfelice Imparato, Salvatore Abruzzese, Toni Servillo, Simone Sacchettino Based on the homonymous bestseller by Roberto Saviano, the film, together with Il Divo by Paolo Sorrentino, swept all the most important prizes at national and international cinema festivals. It was an exceptional case of gaining both the critics and public consensus, which in the film industry, rarely go together. Shot in a “neorealistic”, gritty style, the film concentrates on five separate but intertwined stories of people differently connected with the organized local crime of family clans and the Camorra. Week 8 L’Albero degli Zoccoli (The Tree of Wooden Clogs) The Annexe Wed 30 Nov 18:30 – 20:30 Despite this film not following the chronological order of the films analysed so far (1978), I have chosen it so as to finish the course with more appeasing images from Ermanno Olmi’s masterpiece, shot in the Bergamo countryside, using all non professional actors and leaving the dialect language spoken by the peasants of the area. A mystical film with a pantheistic view of the world, in the escalation of the drama, the spectator is taken aback by the beauty of the natural scenes, the poverty and simplicity of the peasant community and the social exploitation which, in different levels and degrees, is a constant component of neorealist films. Other films related to Neorealism will be suggested as further viewing during the course. All the films proposed in the course are available on DVD and some of them have been occasionally broadcast on the BBC and Channel 4. References Specific references will be provided on a weekly basis. Suggested reading: 1. Bondanella, Peter: Italian Cinema, from Neorealism to the present, Continuum International Publishing Group; 3rd edition, New York, 2001 2. Liehm, Mira: Passion and Defiance: Film in Italy from 1942 to the Present, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1986 3. Marcus, Millicent Joy: Italian Film in the light of Neorealism, Princeton University Press, New Jersey, 1986 4. Ruberto, E. Laura & Kristi M. Wilson: Italian Neorealism and Global Cinema, Wayne State University Press, Detroit, 2007 5. Serio, Adalgisa: Studying Italian Cinema, Auteur Publishing, Leighton Buzzard, coming out Autumn/Winter 2011-12 Websites The most useful websites for background on Neorealism are: http://filmdirectors.co/italian-neorealism-film-techniques/ http://donalforeman.com/writing/neorealism.html http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Independent-Film-Road-Movies/Neorealism- CRITICAL-RECEPTION-AND-LEGACY.html http://www.au-cinema.com/narrative-film-technique/defining-italian-neorealism.html Associated Events Live Musical Accompaniment Drifters (CTBA) Sun 6 Nov 16:30 Dir John Grierson/GB 1929/60 mins Human beatboxer, vocal sculptor and sound artist Jason Singh, will perform a live vocal score to the 1929 silent film Drifters, by John Grierson. Using techniques of prerecorded vocal sequences, live vocal processing and sampling, Singh will create a sonic backdrop of ambient textures, experimental atmospheres and rhythms created solely by the use of the voice to accompany the epic journey of a film that explores the tensions between tradition and modernity. Matinee Classics Our popular, ongoing programme brings cinema classics to the big screen every month – with each film showing on a Sunday at 12:00 and the following Wednesday at 13:30. Our October and November films will also have an informal post-screening discussion following the Wednesday showing, so you can talk about the film with other film fans. To find out about what films are showing visit http://www.cornerhouse.org/film/film- events/matinee-classics Asia Triennial Film Programme For the second Asia Triennial Manchester Festival, we present the very first accompanying film programme. This series of features, short films and special events, includes six UK premieres, as well as a season from award-winning Filipino director Brillante Mendoza. UK Premiere Under the Hawthorn Tree (CTBA) (Shan zha shu zhi lian) Sun 3 Oct 18:20 Dir Zhang Yimou/CN 2010/114 mins/Mandarin wEng ST Zhou Dongyu, Shawn Dou, Xi Meijuan, Jiang Ruijia Based on popular novel Under the Hawthorn Tree, this ravishingly shot film is set during the Cultural Revolution and tells the story of a student who is sent to be re-educated through work in the countryside only to find true love in the form of a young geologist working nearby. However, the social and political differences between their families means that love cannot always run smoothly. The Gaze Returned: Three Short Films from China (CTBA) Tue 11 Oct 18:30 £3 Dir various/CN 2007, 2009, 2010/60 mins This special screening of three key short artists’ films from China includes the UK premiere of Gaze, a stunning one-stage performance piece by Wang Jianwei (previously part of our State Legacy exhibition, 2009). Also screening are Crust by acclaimed director Huang Wenhai, a film about a Chinese steelworker in a Yangtze River shipyard, and Cao Fei’s second life animation imirror that premiered to critical acclaim at the Venice Biennale 2007. Event We are pleased to welcome Dong Bingfeng, Deputy Director of the Iberia Centre for Contemporary Art in Beijing, for an introduction and post-screening Q&A. Closing Gala Hotel Black Cat (CTBA) Sat 26 Nov 18:00 Dir Herb Hsu Li-wen/TW 2010/98 mins/Mandarin wEng ST Lu Yi-Cheng, Wen Zhen-ling, Xia Jing-ting, Li Kang-yi The debut fiction feature from Herb Hsu Li-wen, Hotel Black Cat tells the interweaving stories and lingering past traumas of the offbeat residents of the eponymous residence. Whilst a low budget production, Hotel Black Cat has the same shambolic charm as the film’s central location and marks its young director as a talent to watch. Event We are pleased to welcome actress and director Herb Hsu Li-wen for a post-screening Q&A. Brillante Mendoza Retrospective Opening Gala Lola (CTBA) (Grandmother) Sat 1 Oct 18:00 Dir Brillante Mendoza/PH 2009/110 mins/Tagalog wEng ST Anita Linda, Rustica Carpio, Tanya Gomez, Jhong Hilario The lives of two grandmothers become intertwined when their sons are involved in a street brawl and they are sucked into the labyrinth world of the Philippine legal system.