Ermanno Olmi
Encyclopedia
Ermanno Olmi is a renowned Italian
film director
.
, Lombardy
. He is married to Loredana Detto, who played Antonietta Masetti in Il Posto
.
Olmi's films fit into the artistic mold of Italian neorealism
, though Olmi would argue (and does argue, in an interview found on the Criterion Edition DVD of his 1961 film, Il Posto
) that this is the artistic tradition he is responding against because, he claimed, he used non-actors in authentic locations whereas neorealism used professional actors. However, many neorealist directors also used non-professional actors for secondary and sometimes even primary roles. His films, like most of those considered to be products of the neorealist movement
, are shot in long, slow take
s, and generally contain some sort of social commentary
, though rarely do the neorealists wear their political opinions on their sleeves. Another film was I fidanzati.
Perhaps his most important film is The Tree of Wooden Clogs
(L'Albero degli zoccoli), which was awarded the Palme d'Or
at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival
. In 1983 his film Walking, Walking
was screened out of competition at Cannes
. In 1988, his La leggenda del santo bevitore
(The Legend of the Holy Drinker), based on the novel by Joseph Roth and starring Rutger Hauer, won the Golden Lion
at the Venice Film Festival
as well as a David di Donatello
award.
His The Profession of Arms also a won David di Donatello
award.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
.
Biography
Olmi was born in BergamoBergamo
Bergamo is a town and comune in Lombardy, Italy, about 40 km northeast of Milan. The comune is home to over 120,000 inhabitants. It is served by the Orio al Serio Airport, which also serves the Province of Bergamo, and to a lesser extent the metropolitan area of Milan...
, Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
. He is married to Loredana Detto, who played Antonietta Masetti in Il Posto
Il Posto
Il Posto is an Italian film directed by Ermanno Olmi. An extension of Italian Neorealism, it explores many of the dehumanizing practices of the corporation from the viewpoint of an Italian adolescent.-Synopsis:...
.
Olmi's films fit into the artistic mold of Italian neorealism
Italian neorealism
Italian neorealism is a style of film characterized by stories set amongst the poor and working class, filmed on location, frequently using nonprofessional actors...
, though Olmi would argue (and does argue, in an interview found on the Criterion Edition DVD of his 1961 film, Il Posto
Il Posto
Il Posto is an Italian film directed by Ermanno Olmi. An extension of Italian Neorealism, it explores many of the dehumanizing practices of the corporation from the viewpoint of an Italian adolescent.-Synopsis:...
) that this is the artistic tradition he is responding against because, he claimed, he used non-actors in authentic locations whereas neorealism used professional actors. However, many neorealist directors also used non-professional actors for secondary and sometimes even primary roles. His films, like most of those considered to be products of the neorealist movement
Neorealism (art)
In art, neorealism was established by the ex-Camden Town Group painters Charles Ginner and Harold Gilman at the beginning of World War I. They set out to explore the spirit of their age through the shapes and colours of daily life...
, are shot in long, slow take
Take
A take is a single continuous recorded performance. The term is used in film and music to denote and track the stages of production.-Film:In cinematography, a take refers to each filmed "version" of a particular shot or "setup"...
s, and generally contain some sort of social commentary
Social commentary
Social commentary is the act of rebelling against an individual, or a group of people by rhetorical means, or commentary on social issues or society...
, though rarely do the neorealists wear their political opinions on their sleeves. Another film was I fidanzati.
Perhaps his most important film is The Tree of Wooden Clogs
The Tree of Wooden Clogs
The Tree of Wooden Clogs is a 1978 Italian film written and directed by Ermanno Olmi. The film concerns Lombard peasant life in a cascina of the late 19th century. It has some similarities with the earlier Italian neorealist movement, in that it focuses on the lives of the poor, and the parts...
(L'Albero degli zoccoli), which was awarded the Palme d'Or
Palme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
at the 1978 Cannes Film Festival
1978 Cannes Film Festival
The 31st Cannes Film Festival was held on May 16-30. This festival saw the introduction of a new non-competitive section, 'Un Certain Regard', which replaces 'Les Yeux Fertiles' , 'L'Air du temps' and 'Le Passé composé'.- Jury :*Alan J...
. In 1983 his film Walking, Walking
Walking, Walking
Walking, Walking is a 1983 Italian drama film directed by Ermanno Olmi. It was screened out of competition at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Alberto Fumagalli - Mel* Antonio Cucciarrè - Rupo* Eligio Martellucci - Kaipaco...
was screened out of competition at Cannes
1983 Cannes Film Festival
- Jury :*William Styron *Henri Alekan *Yvonne Baby *Sergei Bondarchuk *Youssef Chahine *Souleymane Cissé *Gilbert de Goldschmidt *Mariangela Melato *Karel Reisz...
. In 1988, his La leggenda del santo bevitore
La leggenda del santo bevitore
La leggenda del santo bevitore is a 1988 Italian film directed by Ermanno Olmi. It tells the story of a drunken homeless man in Paris who is lent 200 francs by a stranger as long as he promises to repay it to a local church when he can afford to; the film depicts the man's constant frustrations...
(The Legend of the Holy Drinker), based on the novel by Joseph Roth and starring Rutger Hauer, won the Golden Lion
Golden Lion
Il Leone d’Oro is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee and is now regarded as one of the film industry's most distinguished prizes...
at the Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
as well as a David di Donatello
David di Donatello
David di Donatello, named after Donatello's David, is a movie award assigned each year for cinematic performances and production by Ente David di Donatello, part of Accademia del Cinema Italiano. It is the Italian equivalent to the Academy Award. There are 24 categories as of 2006.- History :The...
award.
His The Profession of Arms also a won David di Donatello
David di Donatello
David di Donatello, named after Donatello's David, is a movie award assigned each year for cinematic performances and production by Ente David di Donatello, part of Accademia del Cinema Italiano. It is the Italian equivalent to the Academy Award. There are 24 categories as of 2006.- History :The...
award.