To celebrate Marcello Mastroianni’s 100th birthday, the
Italian Institute in India
is rolling out the red carpet for some of his most beloved films. Known for his performances and three Best Actor nods for Italian-language performances, Mastroianni remains a global favourite star and the officials say that this screening series has been curated to celebrate his work and timeless appeal.
The retrospective of Mastroianni will begin in January next year and continue through March. The Italian Embassy Cultural Centre will host screenings of his classics. Restored masterpieces from the Italian National Film Archive, Cineteca di Bologna, will be screened in Delhi.
To commence Mastroianni’s centenary celebrations, his film
La Notte
was recently screened in Delhi.
The retrospective will start next year at the IHC in Delhi
‘Mastroianni represents a bridge between the Italian neorealist tradition and the international art cinema movement’
Marcello Mastroianni became a world-renowned star with director Federico Fellini ‘s
La Dolce Vita
, in which he played the role of a journalist suffering from existential crisis.
Talking about the retrospective, Andrea Anastasio, director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Delhi said, “Marcello Mastroianni has a profound influence on world cinema and is revered for his ability to bring both charisma and subtlety to his roles. He represents a bridge between Italian neorealism and the international art cinema movement.”
He says that La Notte was chosen because it remains a mirror of both personal and societal struggles, resonating with cinephiles even today, adding,”The film addresses timeless issues – life, death, and change. It is one of the most powerful films because, at that time, Italy was emerging from neorealism, and the Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni steps away from that by introducing themes fundamental to modern society, such as the crisis of relationships and the role of intellectual society in urban life. It is important for many reasons; from a cinematographic perspective, it has probably inspired at least five generations of filmmakers, not just in Italy but also across the world.”
‘Mastroianni is the most iconic star of Italy’s vibrant 1960s cinema’
This year, the Cannes Film Festival screened Marcello Mio, a film that celebrates his centenary and stars his daughter Chiara.
