The Fiancés

Film/Video BEFORE AND AFTER THE REVOLUTION: ITALIA ANNI 1962-1972 INDUSTRIALIZATION (L'INDUSTRIALIZZAZIONE) WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2001, 8 PM $6 ($4 WALKER MEMBERS) AUDITORIUM

THE TREES OF NATALE (L'ALBERO DI NATALE)
THE FIRES OF THE VAL PADANA (I FUOCHI DELLA VAL PADANA)
DIRECTED BY JORIS IVENS
These two excerpts, taken from the first great Italian industrial documentary, Italy Is Not a Poor Country (L'Italia non un paese povero), feature remarkable juxtapositions between imagery of an oil refinery, Venetian children playing in the streets, and Lucanian peasants working in the fields. The film was directed by Joris Ivens assisted by Paolo Taviani, Valentino Orsini, and Tinto Brass, and was commissioned by ENI (the Italian State Oil and Gas Company). 1960, Italy, BW, 35mm, in Italian with English subtitles, 55 minutes.

THE FIANCÉS (I FIDANZATI)
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ERMANNO OLMI
Two lovers are kept apart because they are too poor to marry. Society is indifferent to their plight, and they only feel more isolated in the company of others. The man finds a job in Sicily, and their romance continues through sorrowful correspondence. The Fiancés is distinguished by its humanity, formal elegance, and sophisticated editing. 1963, Italy, BW, 35mm, in Italian with English subtitles, 81 minutes.

BEFORE AND AFTER THE REVOLUTION: ITALIA ANNI 1962-1972 WAS PROGRAMMED IN COLLABORATION WITH SCUOLA NAZIONALE DI CINEMA-CINETECA NAZIONALE, ROME.

THE SERIES IS MADE POSSIBLE BY SUPPORT FROM FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI, FLORENCE; CINE CITTÀ HOLDING, ROME; AND ARCHIVIO AUDIOVISIVO DEL MOVIMENTO OPERAIO E DEMOCRATICO, ROME. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED BY THE ITALIAN FILM COMMISSION, A DIVISION OF THE ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION-LOS ANGELES, AND THE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI CULTURA, CHICAGO. SPECIAL THANKS TO JIM DEMPSTER AT THE BFI, LONDON.