Tag Archives: diva films

Il cinema ritrovato 2018 in review

Posted on 20 August 2018 by silentsplease

Six weeks after the fact, you say? From the Department of Better Late than Never comes my recap of Il cinema ritrovato 2018: a wonderful festival of archival film of all eras and countries. Spoiler alert: I had a blast!

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Pride and passion: Pina Menichelli in Il padrone delle ferriere (1919)

Posted on 22 December 2017 by silentsplease

Aristocracy, hubris, and hauteur: these are the main ingredients in Itala-Film’s Il padrone delle ferriere | The Master of the Ironworks (1919), starring the majestic Pina Menichelli. I’d intended to cover another 1917 film in this Diva December entry, but when the Museo … Continue reading →

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The dream and the myth: Il fauno | The Faun (IT 1917)

Posted on 14 December 2017 by silentsplease

Do not flee from me, for I am love. In his character’s introduction, Febo Mari sets the tone for this phantasmic film in which desire and mythology intertwine. In a reverse Pygmalion scenario, an artist’s model, her sculptor-love unfaithful to … Continue reading →

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Diva December begins with a rainbow

Posted on 3 December 2017 by silentsplease

It’s that time of year again! In Diva December, now in its fourth edition, I look at examples of the ‘diva film’, or the genre of decadent female-led melodramas that were a mainstay of Italian cinema of the 1910s. I’ve outlined … Continue reading →

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I act, therefore IAM: Italia Almirante Manzini in Notte di tempesta (1916)

Posted on 31 March 2017 by silentsplease

Italia Almirante Manzini was a major diva of the Italian silents who has, so far, been mentioned on this blog only briefly. I like her a lot—she’s always fun and engaging to watch. Despite a stately appearance, I perceive a certain gentle wryness … Continue reading →

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Lina Cavalieri in Sposa nella morte! | The Shadow of Her Past (IT 1915)

Posted on 2 March 2017 by silentsplease

Known as “the most beautiful woman in the world”, opera singer Lina Cavalieri starred opposite Caruso, was fêted by D’Annunzio, and was painted by Boldini. She began her career singing in the café-chantants of Rome, Naples, and Paris; rising to … Continue reading →

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Diva ‘December’ returns – Fabienne Fabrèges in Signori giurati … (1916)

Posted on 7 February 2017 by silentsplease

Welcome to (the now well-misnamed) Diva December! In this series, I look at examples of the Italian diva film, a genre that proliferated in 1910s Italy—for an overview, click here. This first instalment is devoted to a relatively obscure title, … Continue reading →

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Diva December delayed!

Posted on 11 December 2016 by silentsplease

Regular readers will know that in December, I usually publish a series of articles on the films of the Italian divas. Due to a heavy workload right now, I have to postpone this until early next year – so please … Continue reading →

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Casa Lyda Borelli in Bologna

Posted on 14 August 2016 by silentsplease

Lyda Borelli was already a celebrated theatrical actress and fashion icon when she burst into film with the seminal Ma l’amor mio non muore! (But my love will never die!; 1913). Her cinematic career was relatively sparse—over six years, she only … Continue reading →

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Stacia Napierkowska on film

Posted on 29 May 2016 by silentsplease

As dancer Marfa Koutiloff in Les Vampires (FR 1915-16), Stacia Napierkowska gave the silent cinema one of its most iconic images: a woman in a black bodystocking and great black bat wings, stretching and swirling as if to take flight. Later, she … Continue reading →

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