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").

 

The film portrays the lives of two parallel characters, both named Antonio Pisapia.  The two men deal with the emotional struggle to regain their public stature after fame and fortune is taken away by a brutal twist of events.

One of the Antonio Pisapias is a singer who reaches his prime after years of struggle, only to have his career rapidly crash after his sexual relations with a minor become public and his cocaine-addiction intensifies. The other is soccer player who achieves fame after he scores a game winning goal in a big international game. But a serious leg injury soon afterwards puts an end to his career.

The lighthearted beginning of the film turns serious as each character spirals into lonely depression, desperately trying to regain a piece of their once-held fame.  Sorrentino’s raw, heavy cinematic style is interlaced with well-placed humor giving the film a moving tone despite the depressing themes.      

The reason for the film's success became evident as Giuliano explained the creative process that went behind the film in a Q&A period held after the screening.

Pre-production was not that difficult, he said, as the treatment was well-written and thought out.  Once read, producers immediately saw promise. It wasn’t until the eighth draft that “L’Uomo in Più” made it to film. 

“Once you’re on the set and producing, everything that can go wrong does,” said Giuliano. “So you can either plan carefully beforehand or have a lot of money and not care.”   

“L’Uomo in Più” was a low budget film not destined for big box office success. At best, the idea was to make a good film designed to introduce a new director. 

“Having money is fundamental, but it’s not a good enough reason to make the film.  It needs to be made when it’s ready to be made,” said Giuliano.  He added he is very proud of how the film turned out. Regardless of the budget, it's always a learning experience, he added. 

Comments

[Antonella Napolitano]

I'm glad you had a screening of this movie.
Almost nobody watched when it was released (and it was released in just a few cinemas) but I was one of them and I loved the movie: the actors were both amazing and I thought that the director was great. He was in attendance that time so we had the chance to talk to him.

I have a lot of American friends who study Italian and I think that it's very important that you have the chance to see more non commercial examples of contemporary culture.