The Matthew Online

JCU Halloween costume attracts fairies, rain and a vanishing ghost

By Christina Tscherteu

ROME, Oct. 31- As the rain poured down on the Lemon Tree Courtyard on Wednesday afternoon, John Cabot University students dashed to the Aula Magna auditorium for the judging of the Halloween costume contest, an event organized by JCU student government.

 

The poor weather appeared to rain out some of the festivities; just seven students dressed up for the contest.

“I didn’t dress up because it was raining and I wanted my costume to be a surprise,” JCU stuent Kelly Olsen explained.

Still, there were plenty of costumed students to hold a proper contest. Each contestant strutted their stuff down the aisle and later explained why they chose their costume.

4-day weekend arrives as JCU students and faculty celebrate All Saints

By Alexis Blaha

ROME, Oct. 31 — Students and faculty will celebrate a day off from classes on Thursday in celebration of the Catholic holy day, All Saints, or Tutti Santi.

John Cabot University students are eagerly planning for the extended weekend break.

The Matthew Online spoke to a number of students, asking them their plans for the "ponte".  Students plan to travel, explore Rome, and simply enjoy a break from school, they said.

JCU's InVerse poetry festival shines through a steady downpour

By Ashley Boyd

ROME, Oct. 31 – Courageous professors, students and fans of the written word braved the storm
on Tuesday night to hear renowned poets exchange poetry.

Standing in front of a room of about 40, American poet Susan Stewart and Italian poet Mariangela Gualtieri alternated between translating each other’s poetry in an orange-lit Aula Magna auditorium.

Stewart and Gualtieri translated about 10 poems written by the other poet, mesmerized the audience with their calm, melodic interpretations.

Sorrentino's first big box office hit screened at JCU film series

By Courtney Smith

 

ROME, 30 Oct. — “L’Uomo in Più,” the film that launched Italian director Paolo Sorrentino to  international acclaim, was screened Monday night at John Cabot University's ongoing “La Meglio Gioventù” film series with the film's producer on hand to discuss its making.

JCU Professor Peter Sarram introduced the film to students and film fans. In attendance was Nicola Giuliano, producer of "L'Uomo in Piu", ("One Man Up").

 

Moccia musical has Rome's teens swooning

By Rubina S.

ROME, OCT. 29 -- On Saturday night Rome's Teatro Olimpico filled with enthusiastic teenagers eager to see the stage performance of "Tre Metri Sopra il Cielo", the modern-day teen romance that has captivated a nation.

More than 800,000 copies of the book have sold across Europe and the movie version brought in nearly 16 million euros at the box office and on home video. "Tre Metri Sopra il Cielo," (also known as "3MSC") is now being presented to the Italian public as a musical.

FilmFest: charity event raises $1.35 million for AIDS research

By Leah Rieger

ROME, Oct. 28 - A charity auction for the funding of AIDS research raised over $1 million on Friday night at a celebrity-filled event that included some John Cabot University student volunteers.

“Romans, lend me your wallets,” Sharon Stone flirtatiously said to the rich and famous who were attending the "Cinema against Aids" benefit organized by the American Foundation for AIDS Research, or amfAR. The event was held in conjunction with the Rome Film Festival to raise money and awareness for AIDS research. 

According to the Associated Press, the event raised $1.35 million. Fendi hosted the event along with Stone, who stood in as the auctioneer.   

FilmFest: and the winners are...

The votes are in. Rome’s second annual film festival ended this afternoon as a jury comprised of 50  everyday film-goers distributed awards for the top films and screen performances from the past 10 days. The Matthew Online's Maddie Sousa and Megan Barnes report the winners.

FilmFest explores the dreams of Fellini

By Maria D'Alessandro

ROME, Oct 26 - For the first time, the public has the opportunity to look into the secrets of legendary Italian director Federico Fellini's "night work."

The exhibition "Fellini Oniricon," at the Auditorium-Parco della Musica through Nov. 7, presents the director's The Book of My Dreams, a collection of 400 drawings Fellini jotted down as soon as he woke up between 1960 until 1982, an early morning attempt to capture a piece of the previous night's dreams.

"The book shows more than 20 years of such an oneiric artist," said Vittorio Boarini, curator of the exhibition and director of  the Fondazione Federico Fellini in Rimini.

FilmFest: The generations come together for a Beatles musical

By Casey Calvert

ROME, Oct. 26 – Twentysomethings aren’t supposed to like musicals. Or history. Or anything their parents can relate to. So when Paul Fanelli, 20, a Boston College student, uploaded a trailer for the new ‘60s inspired musical film “Across the Universe” onto his Facebook page, he shouldn’t have been inundated with responses.

Right?

Think again.

 

FilmFest: French animators probe our fear of the dark

By Courtney Smith

ROME, 26 Oct. — What lies in the shadows, in the unknown abyss created by imagination, that causes one’s heartbeat to quicken and triggers the imagination?

It is in this obscurity that fear finds us, as depicted in Prima Linea Productions’ animated film "Peur(s) du Noir" (Fear(s) of Darkness) chosen as the "surprise film" in the Cinema 2007 section of the Rome Film Festival.