Three Films By Paolo and Vittorio Taviani (15.)
Padre Padrone (1977)/ The Night of the Shooting Stars (1982)/ Kaos (1984.) A dual format Blu-ray/ DVD boxset from Arrow Academy.
It often happens that a country will become film hotspot, producing a sudden rush of directors and films over a short time span that gets it noticed around the world, or at least around the world of film reviewers. So for a year or two Romania, Iran or South Korea will be under the spotlight, before the glut of “difficult” follow up films comes along to gently shoo away the interest. Which all gives some context to the incredible productivity of Post-War Italian cinema which for the best part of four decades turned out remarkable directors and remarkable films – De Sica, Rossellini, Fellini, Visconti, Antonioni, Pasolini, Rosi, Bertolucci and Leone – and did so year in, year out. Given that pedigree, perhaps it is understandable that the Brothers Taviani have been overlooked and forgotten – understandable, but unforgiveable.
Even the recent triumph of Caesar Must Die didn't provoke a revival of interest. Why that should have happened might be down for a certain inclusivity in their style which seems to take in bits of everything. You can see traces of all the above names directors in their films, yet their films are not quite like any others. The films in this selection show the width of their vision. Padre Padrone, their international breakthrough film after it won the Barn D'Or at Cannes, is a realistic film about the son of a Sardinian shepherd trying to escape from his violent father through education; Shooting Stars is a more fantastical piece about a group of Tuscan villagers trying to survive during the final days of World War II; Kaos is a three hour adaptation of five Pirandello stories.
Rectifying the situation is this magnificent box set collection from Arrow of their three most famous films from the peak period – the late seventies to the mid-eighties. The box set was released back in August so we’re playing catch up here. Instead of the white featureless check discs I usually get sent, this time the actual product dropped through my letter box and the blue box containing the six discs (a Bluey and a Divy version of each film) is a lovely thing to have your shelf.
The extras are extensive and worthwhile. There is a new two hour interview with the brothers, both now in their eighties, filmed for this edition and focused on these three films; an overview of their career by Michael Brooke who also provides a commentary for The Night of The Shooting Stars; and a video essay look at each film by Italian critic Millicent Marcus. There is also a lovely booklet featuring the original reviews of the films by Pauline Kael and the Pirandello stories Kaos is based on.
Padre Padrone (1977)/ The Night of the Shooting Stars (1982)/ Kaos (1984.) A dual format Blu-ray/ DVD boxset from Arrow Academy.
It often happens that a country will become film hotspot, producing a sudden rush of directors and films over a short time span that gets it noticed around the world, or at least around the world of film reviewers. So for a year or two Romania, Iran or South Korea will be under the spotlight, before the glut of “difficult” follow up films comes along to gently shoo away the interest. Which all gives some context to the incredible productivity of Post-War Italian cinema which for the best part of four decades turned out remarkable directors and remarkable films – De Sica, Rossellini, Fellini, Visconti, Antonioni, Pasolini, Rosi, Bertolucci and Leone – and did so year in, year out. Given that pedigree, perhaps it is understandable that the Brothers Taviani have been overlooked and forgotten – understandable, but unforgiveable.
Even the recent triumph of Caesar Must Die didn't provoke a revival of interest. Why that should have happened might be down for a certain inclusivity in their style which seems to take in bits of everything. You can see traces of all the above names directors in their films, yet their films are not quite like any others. The films in this selection show the width of their vision. Padre Padrone, their international breakthrough film after it won the Barn D'Or at Cannes, is a realistic film about the son of a Sardinian shepherd trying to escape from his violent father through education; Shooting Stars is a more fantastical piece about a group of Tuscan villagers trying to survive during the final days of World War II; Kaos is a three hour adaptation of five Pirandello stories.
Rectifying the situation is this magnificent box set collection from Arrow of their three most famous films from the peak period – the late seventies to the mid-eighties. The box set was released back in August so we’re playing catch up here. Instead of the white featureless check discs I usually get sent, this time the actual product dropped through my letter box and the blue box containing the six discs (a Bluey and a Divy version of each film) is a lovely thing to have your shelf.
The extras are extensive and worthwhile. There is a new two hour interview with the brothers, both now in their eighties, filmed for this edition and focused on these three films; an overview of their career by Michael Brooke who also provides a commentary for The Night of The Shooting Stars; and a video essay look at each film by Italian critic Millicent Marcus. There is also a lovely booklet featuring the original reviews of the films by Pauline Kael and the Pirandello stories Kaos is based on.
