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Wednesday, December 13, 2017

IAA Second Movie Event -- I Cento Passi

After resolving some technical issues – which always seem to plague us! – we started the showing of I Cento Passi, translated into English as the One Hundred Steps. But what are these one hundred steps, and what do they have to do with this film?
                I Cento Passi recounts the story of Giuseppe “Peppino” Impastato, a young man who fights to reduce the impact of the local mafia organization in his town; Cinisi, a small province close to Palermo, one of the biggest cities in Sicily. Peppino actually lives only one hundred steps from the resident mafia boss. Showcasing just how ingrained the mafia are in Peppino’s life.
                Peppino grew up in a family with close mafia ties, however after a relative is assassinated when he is only 15, Peppino dedicates himself to stopping the mafia’s influence. As mentioned prior, his family has close mafia ties, so this battle is as much against his family as the mafia.
                After joining the local communist party, Peppino starts to grow more fervent in his rebellion, even starting demonstrations in front of the mayor’s office. Eventually Peppino’s passion grew even too much for the communist party, and the two parted ways. At this point, Peppino has been kicked out of his own home, but he does not let that stop him. Instead, Peppino starts a radio program dedicated to belittling the local Mafiosi. Peppino’s voice and talent for radio draws a large audience in the surrounding area, and even the local mafia take notice (much to the chagrin of his father).
                The radio show starts to hit too close to home for the Mafiosi and they try to shut it down through Peppino’s father. During this confrontation his father tells Peppino that without him, he would already have been killed. Of course, Peppino will not stop!
                Unfortunately Peppino’s father dies (some say murdered by the mafia), and the capo of the mafia approaches Peppino to provide him one last chance to stop. As always, Peppino will not stray from his mission and continues, even starting a campaign for a local position.
                One night, Peppino is kidnapped and murdered by the mafia. Incidentally, Peppino won that position he was campaigning for! The police deem his death a suicide, and this ruling lasts for decades, until it is overturned and his killers are ultimately brought to justice.
                After finishing the film, we all discussed the film. Some believed Peppino should have just stayed quiet and led his life, rather than trying to kick the hornet’s nest. Others believed he did the right thing. We asked the audience some other questions regarding the mafia and Italian organized crime, and it brought about lively discussion amongst us all.
                Thank you to everyone who came to the movie, we had a wonderful time!

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Movie Event Pranzo di Ferragosto

On Wednesday, 11/5/17 IAA hosted one of our two movie events of the Fall semester.  Pranzo di Ferragosto or Mid-August Lunch is a film directed by Matteo Garrone. This movie takes place in Trastevere, a famous neighborhood in Rome.  It is a great comedy that portrays many characteristics of Italian films.  A brief synopsis can be found here:
https://www.fandango.com/midaugustlunch_124648/plotsummary

"A man unexpectedly finds himself taking care of four women, three of whom he barely knows, in this sunny comedy from Italy. Gianni (Gianni di Gregorio) is a man in his mid-sixties who still lives with his mother; given that Valeria (Valeria De Franciscis) is well into her nineties, these days he looks after her rather than the other way around, though she remains quite spry given her age. Gianni and Valeria share an apartment in a building owned by Luigi (Alfonso Santagata); Gianni owes money on the rent, and Luigi, who wants to take off for the midsummer festivities of Ferragosto, makes him a deal -- Luigi will forgive the debt if his elderly mother, Marina (Marina Cacciotti), can stay with Gianni and Valeria for a few days. Gianni grudgingly agrees, but is upset when he discovers Luigi has also brought his aging aunt Maria (Maria Calì). Word apparently circulates that Gianni is running an informal home for the elderly, as his friend Marcello (Marcello Ottolenghi) stops by and drops off his mother, Grazia (Grazia Cesarini Sforza), for a day or two. While Gianni scrambles to look after the various needs of four elderly women, it soon becomes clear the ladies have strongly differing views on a number of subjects, making his job all the more difficult. Pranzo di Ferragosto (aka Mid-August Lunch) was written and directed by Gianni di Gregorio, who also played the harried son; it was the first directorial project for the veteran screenwriter. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi"



Ferragosto is a holiday celebrated on the 15th of August and it coincides with the major Catholic feast of the Assumption of Mary.  It also coincides with the summer vacation period that many Italians have.  On this day many Italians celebrate with big lunches involving all sorts of staple foods from their regions.
The film captures many elements of the Italian culture such as family, food and tradition.  Gianni finds himself as the primary caretaker of these elderly women but he eventually treats them as if they were part of his own family.  Food portrays Italian tradition because on Ferragosto, Italians enjoy staple dishes that are made specifically on Ferragosto.