An icon of Italian cinema – an Oscar winner who worked with most of her time’s greatest directors – gets a retrospective beginning Thursday at the Wexner Center for the Arts.
What’s so special about Anna Magnani?
“Her performances are often raw, unbridled…like something is always simmering inside of her ready to burst out,” says Dave Filipi, Director of Film/Video at the Wexner Center for the Arts. “It’s hard to think of an equivalent in American film history, an actress who made so many great films in so many memorable roles, many for great directors, who also enjoyed a special place in the public’s imagination.”
From January 12th through the 29th the Wex will celebrate Magnani with a nine-film series.
“We wanted a mix of her more familiar films (Open City, Bellissima, Vulcano) and those which have been next to impossible to see (Down with Misery, Peddlin’ in Society),” Filipi says.
“We’re really excited to be able to show this selection of her films – eight in new 35mm prints and the ninth (Open City) in a recent 4K restoration – to let our audience discover for themselves what makes her such a special figure in film history,” he says.
According to Filipi, it was more than Magnani’s onscreen work that made her such a beloved figure in Italy.
“So much is written about Magnani and her place in Italian film history,” he says. “Magnani came from the streets of Italy. She grew up among working class people and often played those types of characters on screen, and that image of her as a person and performer has cemented her place in the minds of Italians.”
While the entire program boasts must-sees for film lovers, there’s one movie in particular that Filipi is eager to share with a Wexner audience.
“If I could recommend one film, I’d suggest Renato Castellani’s …and the Wild Women on January 26,” he says. “Magnani stars opposite another Italian icon – Giulietta Masina – in a women’s prison picture where Magnani plays the hardened con who eventually takes Masina under her wing. It’s more of a look at class in Italy than what one typically expects from a prison film.”
Full retrospective lineup:
Thursday, January 12
Rome, Open City 7pm
L’Amore 9pm
Tuesday, January 17
Vulcano 7pm
Thursday, January 19
Bellissima 7pm
The Peddler and the Lady 9pm
Thursday, January 26
Doctor, Beware 7pm
…and the Wild Women 8:45pm
Sunday, January 29
Down with Misery 1pm
Peddlin’ in Society 2:45pm
Tickets per film: $6 for members, seniors and students; $8 for general public.
For tickets and information visit wexarts.org
Read more from Hope at MADDWOLF and listen to her bi-weekly podcast, FRIGHT CLUB.
Looking for more film events in Columbus? CLICK HERE to visit our Events Calendar.