Centoautori “write” to audiences
The most applauded film of the last day of the RomeFilmFest was Lettera agli spettatori (“Letter to Spectators”). Just a few minutes long, it was directed (collectively) by Centoautori (“One Hundred Filmmakers”), the movement formed last February by directors, actors, technicians and workers of the Italian film industry.
The number in their name is purely symbolic, however, as it was immediately exceeded. Over 1,000 have joined since then, and have now “signed” the video-letter screened during the closing ceremony of the Fest, made for film audiences.
In its opening, Riccardo Scamarcio, currently one of Italy’s hottest young stars, explicitly states that the industry is not pitying itself, but responding to numerous recent attacks, above all the accusation of squandering public funds and coasting on welfarism.
Their attempt (and it is a successful one judging by the film’s enthusiastic reception) is to clarify certain inaccuracies that have been spread – and fed recently by several daily papers – that risk creating controversy and ill will even (or above all) among audiences. Producer Nicola Giuliano also points out that those same newspapers receive considerable more money from the state that what is allocated for cinema.
The Centoautori do not want to be considered among those who pocket public subsidies, who “take the money and run”, and want to remind all that state assistance to cinema is low compared not only to publishing and industry spending, but even for a contract for laying down a few kilometres of highway.
The short film features the familiar faces of actors Valentina Lodovini and Corrado Fortuna, directors Paolo Virzì and Alex Infascelli (who brings up the paradox of satellite TV, which for the rights to football games pays out sums far greater than those spent on film), and Laura Morante, who speaks of the difference between how much Italy and France invest each year in their film industries.
There are also screenwriter Andrea Purgatori, directors Francesca Archibugi and Francesca Comencini and many unknown but important faces: production and costume designers, continuity people, assistant directors, those who work every day in the industry yet far from the spotlights. They also signed the Letter, to remind audiences that film is an industry that employs thousands.
(Translated from Italian)
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