Opening Night: Wondrous Boccaccio
Description
Even with the Black Plague looming in the background, Tuscany has rarely looked as lovely as it does in this lively adaptation of The Decameron. In 14th-century Florence, a group of young women and men journey to the countryside in the hope of escaping the pestilence decimating the population. As a way of distracting themselves from the tragedy, they tell one another stories, one each day, most of which center around the theme of forbidden love. From the ribald tale of illicit goings on in a convent to the amusingly ironic chronicle of a painter who believes he is invisible to the moving parable of a poor falconer and the noblewoman he loves, the Taviani brothers fashion a richly appointed concoction of multiple narratives. Starring well-known Italian actors such as Kim Rossi Stuart and Riccardo Scamarcio alongside a passel of comely newcomers, Wondrous Boccaccio is a splendid reminder of the joys of storytelling and the verdant delights of Tuscany.
Master filmmakers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani have collaborated on over 20 films in their 60-year career. They have won the Cannes Palme d’Or (for 1977’s Padre Padrone), Berlin’s Golden Bear (for 2012’s Caesar Must Die), a career Golden Globe in 2005, and numerous David awards in their home country. Many of their films, including Wondrous Boccaccio) are taken from famous works of literature, and they have tackled the multiple-narrative format before with 1984’s Kaos, their adaptation of several Pirandello stories.
Trailer
//www.youtube.com/embed/neVn-p5zYjcFilm Details
Language Italian
Original Language Title Maraviglioso Boccaccio
Year 2014
Runtime 121
Country Italy/France
Director Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani
Producer Donatella Palermo, Luigi Musini
Writer Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani
Editor Roberto Perpignani
Cinematographer Simone Zampagni
Music Giuliano Taviani, Carmelo Travia
Cast Kim Rossi Stuart, Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca
Print Source MK2