Nonna Anna Film Group is just one of the collections of artists that are creatively nurtured by the hills of Pontelandolfo. Filmmakers, dancers, theatre people, photographers, painters and writers all call Pontelandolfo home. Living in a small village, I am often asked –
“Don’t you miss the cultural world of New York or Philadelphia.”
Nope, I don’t miss the traffic, crowds and cost. Artists – young and old – to talk to in the piazza. Popping up minutes from our home, arts events and creativity percolate in our little village.
Speaking of percolating – in the past few months Nonna Anna Film Group, led by producer/director Gianluca De Michele has moved from comedy to the dark and grungy world of film noir.
Towerburg – La Serie, is an episodic YouTube series that is different from the comic shorts the company has usually produced. I asked Gianluca why they have shifted artistic focus and the answer made me realize that these young filmmakers were more familiar with early Hollywood film noir than I was.
Gianluca said: Abbiamo scelto di cimentarci nel genere noir perché avevamo voglia di provare a fare qualcosa di diverso dalla commedia, che è stato il nostro unico genere nei corti precedenti. Così abbiamo intrapreso la strada del Noir, uno dei miei generi preferiti, e di un cinema drammatico, non rivolto alla risata. L’idea del corto è nata, parlando con Valerio, della voglia e della necessità di esprimermi attraverso il noir, in un periodo in cui ero totalmente immerso nella visione di film noir come “Il grande sonno” (The Big Sleep), “Il mistero del falco” (The Maltese Falcon), “Il terzo uomo” ( The Third Man), “Viale del tramonto” (Sunset Boulevard) ecc.
We chose to try our hand at the noir genre because we wanted to experiment with something other than comedy, which in previous shorts was our only genre. So we embarked on the path of Noir, one of my favorite genres, a dramatic cinema, not aimed at laughter. The idea for this short film was born. I spoke with Valerio Mancini about my desire and need to express myself through noir. At the time I was totally immersed in the vision of film noir studying such films as “The Big Sleep,” “The Maltese Falcon,” “The Third Man,”and “Sunset Boulevard.”
Towerburg was born as a short film. Since the production had cliffhangers, the company decided to divide it and make it a web series.
Bravi! My applause to the production team and the performers. (Pssst, I’m related to Valerio and Alessio – don’t tell anyone.)
Igor Rinaldi as Pat Connaughton
Paola Corbo as Miss Daisy
Valerio Mancini as Jack King
Federico Mancini as Big Brisco
Francesco Mancini as Joe Mitraglietta
Francesco Natale as Wilbour
Davide Mancini as Manny
Gennaro Barile as Jones Portis
Simona Macolino as Miss Emily
Alessio Iacovella as Mac
I absolutely love living in Pontelandolfo where one can meet interesting young people with a passion for the arts. Enjoy the arts, wherever you are.
Ci Vediamo
Midge (www.midgeguerrera.com)
PS. Tell a pal to read my humorous travel memoir Cars, Castles, Cows and Chaos. Ask me about my one woman show – La Dolce Vita or Is It???
Nonna's Mulberry Tree 