The Arte channel is highlighting this Monday, June 17, 2024, at 8:55 p.m., a twice-winning film in internationally renowned international competitions. TV entertainment tells you everything about this film which takes place at the dawn of World War II.
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This Monday, June 17, 2024, at 8:55 p.m., the Arte channel is broadcasting a classic of Italian cinema by Vittorio De Sica. The movie director The Bicycle Thief This time, we are immersed in Italy on the eve of the Second World War, at a time when the fascist regime promulgated racial laws. However, members of the Jewish bourgeoisie try to continue with their lives while ignoring the looming threat. When these young people are expelled from their sports clubs following anti-Semitic measures, they are welcomed by the very rich Finzi-Contini aristocrats to play tennis tournaments in their garden. It is on this occasion that Giorgio, played by Lino Capolicchio, reunites with his childhood friend Micol, played by Dominique Sanda, who also appeared in The Conformist alongside Jean-Louis Trintignant. This 1971 film was popular well beyond Italian borders, winning prestigious international awards.
Vittorio De Sica’s surprise at the world premiere of his film
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This eponymous adaptation of the novel by Giorgio Bassani The Finzi-Contini Garden was treated to a world premiere in Jerusalem. The director recounts the event in an interview on December 12, 1971 for the show Monsieur cinéma. Vittorio De Sica explains: “I was very nervous because Jewish audiences are really harsh about these films that recall this period”. At the end of the screening, no one applauded, which greatly worried the Italian filmmaker. Glancing around the room, however, he was very surprised to see the emotion on the faces of the audience. He recounts : “Everyone was crying. It was, for me, a great moment of emotion”
The Finzi-Contini Garden, winner of prestigious international competitions
Vittorio De Sica’s film greatly moved its audience during its first screening, but not only that. Indeed, the feature film was also a winner of international competitions, winning numerous prestigious awards including the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 1971 and the Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 1972. To top it all off, The Finzi-Contini Garden was also dedicated in the native country of its director. It received the David di Donatello Award for Best Film in 1971.
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