Two film screenings highlight Pak, Italian cultural similarities
M M AlamAugust 14, 20261 min readITALIAN CINEMA:The Consul General of Italy in Karachi, Fabrizio Bielli, points towards the posters of Italian classical movies ‘The Family’ and ‘The Diner’ directed by Ettore Scola
KARACHI:
Port City’s The Place was the venue where Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the 9th Film Festival, an annual event organized globally to introduce the Italian directors, screenwriters, actors, set designers and other technicians to the world.
This year two chefs d’oeuvre of celebrated Screenwriter/Director Ettore Scola were screened. [La Famiglia (The Family-1987) on 10th and La Cena (The Dinner – 1998) on 12th August]. Karachiites, who experienced Scola’s inimitable story-telling ability, found a similarity between Pakistani and Italian Culture: Respect of elders, love for children, joint family and other oriental values.
While talking to ET about The Family, renowned journalist Ghazi Salahuddin noted that Scola very dexterously presented his own life reconnoitering the human emotions. The Family, that commences with baptism of Carlo, accounts growth of the household to his 80th birthday party. The movie was entered into 1987 Cannes and received Academy Award nomination.
The Dinner (produced ten years after The Family), reminded this scribe of Khawaja Moinuddin’s play Taleem-e-Baleghan that was directed by Agha Nasir for PTV. The Italian film too shows human comedy in a single stage. Camera continuously moves from restaurant’s table to table as well as its owner and workers depicting the vicissitudes they are going through during the dinner.
Though French diplomatic mission here called it a day on 14th July this year, Italian Consulate (that even observed Design Day, during 2020 when pall of gloom descended upon the entire world due to Covid-19) is all set to stay put. Their naval ships (including aircraft carrier Cavour and 100-year-old training vessel Amerigo Vespucci) never stopped port-calling the Metropolis.
Karachiites look forward to attend annual Cuisine, Performing Art Fest and Italian Language weeks held uninterruptedly. Italy is the top importer of Basmatirice. A total of $ 1.4 Billion worth of trade takes place annually. The surplus is always in favor of Pakistan.
Moreover, Italy generously admits international students from Pakistan and provides a substantial amount to cover their hostel expenses. Instituto Giannina Gasliniand Child Life Foundation joined hands to serve sick/poor children of Pakistan. Italian aircraft are always the first to land with aid during calamities (including inundations).
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