Saturday, August 8, 2009

Anonimo Veneziano

Since I will be in Venice soon, to visit friends, to enjoy its timeless beauty and also to check the "Biennale", I feel I should share this with you!


"Anonimo Veneziano" an award winning drama is one of my favorite movies and I could watch it many times over. It was filmed in 1970 by Enrico Maria Salerno (a very famous Italian theater actor at the time) in his debut as a director in a magnificent Venice without tourists as a background (and should I say foreground too).
Listen to the music... and enjoy some images of the city.



Salerno's script, co-written with Giuseppe Berto, features Tony Musante and Florinda Bolkan as an estranged couple reunited for a day. They wander around Venice reminiscing about the ups and downs of their marriage, wondering what drove them apart. Extraordinary photography of the best Venice has to offer, some scenes were also filmed at the centuries old Bevilacqua Textiles factory, where Bolkan was surrounded by the most luxurious damasks and silks in an explosion of colors.
The most fascinating music "Adagio from Oboe concert" by Alessandro Marcello (1669-1747 and brother of Benedetto) makes some scenes even more romantic.
A real Venice, a hymn to desperate love, a man dying in a dying city...a movie, at least for me,
 impossible to forget.
florindaimg13big
From the movie script:
"Do you really fear the past?"
"No, it is not the past...it is that I can't tolerate anymore the smell of this city. She is dying, she is going back to mud...but it is just this that makes her beautiful: she is dying".
The same year (1970) we had "Love story" movie (another impossible, desperate love) which I saw once and never felt like I have to see again...it must be my fascination with Venice or the intensity of this particular movie or perhaps just the memory of who I was at the time!!!

On a more prosaic note:

antica-locanda-montin-restaurant-dorsoduro
When in Venice I always go once to "Locanda Montin" Dorsoduro 1147 where a famous scene of the movie was taken. A good restaurant with local specialties and a charming atmosphere, especially if in season you can sit in the courtyard under the canopy of greenery.
Very romantic indeed... and the distance between tables allows intimate conversation...

You may also like to read:
Venice Biennale

13 comments:

Unknown said...

I am so jealous and envious of your trip. I have never left the states. I would love to go to Italy but my husband refuses to go overseas. I will live vicariously through your pics!! So take many, and post!

Francine Gardner said...

Thank you for taking me back to Venice. I first discovered Venice as a child and still have a vivid picture of being surrounded by its (infamous) pigeons.Never have attended the Biennale, but always wanted to. Cannot wait to read your notes on the Biennale .f

Dumbwit Tellher said...

I recognize the music but have never seen this film. From your description, I now cannot wait.Thank you as this sounds like my kind of film. I wish you a safe journey to Venice. I have not been since 1975, isn't that horrible? Once the last child graduates from college, I'm celebrating in Venice!
Have a wonderful visit ~ Deb

MEADE DESIGN GROUP said...

I have a mission to go to pick a flick and find this film.

Have lots of fun in the Biennale !

Maria Killam said...

Love that music! I have always wanted to go to Venice! And you are a regular, so great Albarosa! Have a wonderful time!

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE that first photo!!! PERFECT for painting! How FAB to be heading to Venice... ENJOY!

Nancy said...

Loved the Peggy Guggenheim collection in Venice and especially loved getting to Murano last time to get some of that famous glass. Hopefully by the time you get there, all of the tourists will have gone home!

Maria Killam said...

Albarosa, you've been tagged, I want to know what YOUR colour personality is!

Kelly said...

Hi Albarosa,


The Alessi bowl has arrived, and it's beautiful!! I can't wait till we get our kitchen makeover done so I can properly put it on display :-) It'll be on the mantel in the family room till its new home is ready :-)


Thank you so much once again for the wonderful prize :-)


Kelly

--
Kelly James & Victoria Lambert
DesignTies - Home Decor & Remodeling Blog

DeeDee said...

Your post was beautiful. It made me happy and sad. Venice is such a passionate city, so many emotions. The film strip brings out them all and reminds me that I have lived and loved and felt pain and so much joy.

Jamie said...

Buon viaggio, Albarosa. Spero di vederti in Italia. Conosco molto bene L’Antica Locanda Montin. Loro hanno un’ aquaforte mia nella loro collezione.Ciao,
Jamie

The Chukker said...

What a poetic and fascinating blog!
Congratulations, I felt I was reading a first class magazine.
Best
Chukker

Michelle said...

You are the most chic person I know...that film looks so romantic...I'm with Ivan...need to find it. Is is in Italian?

Best, and have fun!
Michelle

 
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