20 Year Exploration
Sat Nov 26, 6:00pm (Como Cinema 3)
For much of its history, the Italian animation scene has been one that has been significantly defined by a group of independent artists who have combined their personal styles with the unique properties of animation to develop beautifully hewed, highly imaginative films that explore themes as esoteric as the most cryptic nature of our inner lives to those as vivid as the residue of war.
In common, and dare we say it, perhaps not unsurprisingly, the common threads that tend to run through these otherwise diverse range of practices is a passion of beautiful design and an obsession with the craft of image making.
This program is an exemplar showcase of some of the finest works by a roster of established and rising 21st century Italian master animators. Drawn from the last 20 years, these are some of the most beloved, admired and awarded Italian animated short films that have wowed audiences the world over.
Absent Minded
Roberto Catani: 7’51, 2013
A child’s daydream during a school lesson is abruptly interrupted by the teacher.
Ecco è ora
Magda Guidi: 3’34, 2004
The wind arrives and marks the beginning of a new season.
Il Gioco del Silenzio
Virginia Mori: 5’01, 2009
The sound of silence can cast a long shadow.
I Know Who I Am
Simone Massi: 3’00, 2004
The search for identity is a journey without boundaries.
Silenziosa-Mente
Alessia Travaglini: 5’07, 2011
A surreal dream searching out the shapes of a world beyond realism.
The Match-La Partita
Ursula Ferrara: 3’57, 2002
At one time or another all of us have been spectators of other people’s lives and the games they play.
Via Curiel 8
Magda Guidi, Mara Cerri: 8’36, 2011
Dario and Emma separate without a word into two worlds too different to reconcile.
La Funambola
Roberto Catani: 6’03, 2002
A young girl dreams of love, marriage and the elegantly colourful life ahead of her.
The Wait Of May
Simone Massi: 8’00, 2014
In the month of May the blackbirds emerge to sing in full voice.
Ossa
Dario Imbrogno: 3’55, 2016
Existing or not – in the blink of an eye.
Topo glassato al cioccolato
Donato Sansone [Milkyeyes]: 2’30, 2011
An impressively bizarre morphing pencil animation probably better experienced than understood
Essere Morti O Essere Vivi E La Stessa Cosa
Gianluigi Toccafondo: 3’43, 2000
A visually poetic exploration of the difference between being dead or alive.
Winter and Lizard
Julia Gromskaya: 4’00, 2013
The young girl and a lizard; the snow and the memory.
Dreamland
Gianluigi Toccafondo: 14’42, 2014
A gorgeously crafted journey across some of Italy’s most beautiful UNESCO cultural sites.
Contemporary Voices (Guests)
Andrea Pierri