CYCLE: DIRECTOR

From 05.05. To 15.05.2004.

Program of Italian film

Alberto Lattuada

13.11.1914, Milano, Italy

 

Director

Alberto Lattuada graduated with a degree in architecture. During his studies, he worked as a film critic, opposing the ruling fascist ideology. In 1938, together with Marco Ferreri and Luigi Comencini he founded the future Italian Cinematheque (Cineteca Italiana) in Milan. He began his career in film as an assistant director and co-screenwriter. He made his directing debut with the film Giacomo the Idealist (Giacomo l'idealista, 1942). After WW II he made two neorealist films The Bandit (Il bandito, 1946) and Without Pity (Senza pietŕ, 1948). His film Flesh Will Surrender (Il delitto di Giovanni Episcopo, 1947) won the annual Italian film critics award. In 1952, he made the acclaimed The Overcoat (Il cappotto). He directed about forty films and TV series.

Filmography


Films by this director

The Cricket

(La Cicala, 1979.)

Directed by: Alberto Lattuada
PHOTOGRAPHY: Danilo Desideri
Synopsis:

Cicala is a young and attractive girl who has troubles with men. She leaves her hometown to visit her friend Wilma, an older former singer, who now earns her living by singing occasionally at local events. After Wilma loses her few gigs, they both start to prostitute. They meet Annibale Meneghetti, owner of a gas station and a small local inn and Wilma marries him. Their relatively peaceful life is interrupted by the arrival of Wilma’s teenage daughter Saveria.

color, 35 mm, 101 min

The Mill on the Po

(Il mulino del Po, 1949)

Directed by: Alberto Lattuada
PHOTOGRAPHY: Aldo Tonti
Synopsis:

The story takes place in the late 19th century in the valley of the river Po and begins with the engagement party of Berta, the daughter of Scacerni the miller. Marriage to her fiancée, farmer Orbino Verginesi, is hampered by social unrest caused by high taxes and the landowners’ unfair treatment of farmers. Suddenly poor, Berta has to cancel the wedding and start working as a maid.

35mm, b/w, 96 min

Without Pity

(Senza pietà, 1947)

Directed by: Alberto Lattuada
PHOTOGRAPHY: Aldo Tonti
Synopsis:

After WW II and the withdrawal of American soldiers from northern Italy, many black soldiers chose desertion and to stay in Italy rather than return to the racial intolerance of America. The hero of this film, Jerry, decides to stay in Italy and soon falls in love with the local blonde beauty Angela.

35mm, b/w, 95 min

Il bandito

(1946)

Directed by: Alberto Lattuada
PHOTOGRAPHY: Aldo Tonti
Synopsis:

This is a typical neorealist film, which deals with the hard consequence of war and problems of the so-called “little people”. The main character is Ernesto who, after the WW II, returns home from German captivity. This film was successfully presented at the Cannes film festival.

b/w, 77 min
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