from left Claudia Cardinale as Angelica Sedera, Burt Lancaster as Prince of Salina (title role) and Alain Delon as Tancredi Falconeri

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

No other film captures the grandeur of Italy than the classic film “The Leopard” by one of its great film makers Luchino Visconti. It was screened at the Shangri La Plaza Cineplex as part of the 9^th Italian film fest last October 20, 2010. Novelist and a colleague of Federico Fellini, Mario Fortunato gave a free lecture entitled “Antonioni, Visconti, Fellini and Pasolini: Straddling Cinema and Literature.” 15 movies in total are screening for free until Oct.26.

Shangrila Cineplex has become the home of many local and international film fests. The Korean Movie fest which will also has free admission will follow from Oct 26^th to 31^st. And the Cinema One film fest will also open there on Nov 10.

Fortunato in his lecture shared that he first saw “The Leopard” as a seven year old and to him it was a life changing experience. Fortunato gave his lecture in Italian to allow attendees to hear the language first hand. This is in line with the theme, “Dolce Italia, dolce lingua” of the month long celebration of Italian language and culture.

The opulent visuals and richness of Italy’s past is magnificently displayed in the movie. “Il Gattopardo”, was originally a novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa and was directed by neo realist film maker Luchino Visconti in 1962. It won the Golden Palm award at the 1963 Cannes Fest and was nominated for Best Costume at the Oscar’s in 1964. Italian history is famous because of the achievements of ancient Rome. But the setting of the film is the 19^th century when the country was in the cusp of shedding their monarchial system to a more democratic government.

Prince Fabrizio played by one of the great Hollywood actors, Burt Lancaster. Visconti reportedly wanted to cast Sir Laurence Olivier for the part. Producers however convinced him to take a more bankable Hollywood lead. Burt Lancaster was also more appropriate because of his background as a soldier during World War II stationed in Italy for several years. That was why he was able to deliver the dialogue in near flawless Italian as he was already fluent in the language. Younger audiences who may not be familiar with Lancaster’s work will be fully convinced that he is Italian owing to his very memorable performance. In truth he is of Irish descent and often played true blue American roles in many westerns and GI’s in war movies.

“The Leopard” or “Il Gattopardo”, opens in the majestic palatial home of Fabrizio which is a perfect example of the baroque architecture of the period. Contrasted to this is the violence of the rebels whose goal is self rule against the monarchy. Most of the story is his family’s escape to safety traveling to his ancestral home in Donnafugatto, Sicily. As a father of seven he can’t help but also get entangled in the lives of his children.

Concetta is his most attractive daughter but is just as reserved and religious as her mother Stella. Trancredi Falconeri is Fabrizio’s nephew who is moving up in the world as an officer. Their lives are shaken by the entry of Agelica Sedara a seductive temptress who captures the eye of every male that sees her. Even Fabrizio is not impervious to her charms. Angelica was played by Claudia Cardinale. Her sizzling sex appeal seems out of place in a conservative society dominated by Catholicism. Cardinale’s features are not unlike another olive skinned siren in Sophia Loren or our very own (major major) beauty, Venus Raj. Cardinale is still quite active today and even had a title role for “Signora Enrica” released this year.

The Salina family also has a father confessor in Father Pirrone who also traveled with them. He represents the strong influence of the Church. Fabrizio however, considers himself a practical man who doesn’t always live by normal conventions.

Almost every shot is a renaissance painting. The exteriors reflect the rolling country side, the sun oppressively hot and the land dry yet picturesque. The film is also known for the most lavish banquet ever put on screen. The remaining monarchs and the families of the dons came together in the palace of Don Diego. Colonel Pallavicino and his officers came in full regalia while the Ladies and the Princesses would prepare their exquisite gowns weeks before the ball. This is where society’s ruling class display their wealth and power.

from left His Excellency Italian Amb. Luca Fornari, Pres. Zenaida Tantoco of Phil. Italian Assoc., Madame Silvana Norelli, Guest Speaker Mario Fortunato and Patrick Jacinto at Shangri-La Plaza. Photo by Jude Bautista

Mario Fortunato however, insists that viewers of “The Leopard” also read the novel which has been translated into English and eight other languages. The most eloquent dialogue, especially from Fabrizio is worth examining. Fortunato claims that the great Italian directors had that innate ability to capture their great literary works. In this case the result is a film that is grand, poetic and truthful. Fabrizio near the end says, “Sicilians don’t want to better themselves. We see perfection. Our vanity is greater than our misery. We are gods!”