May 26 – On June 4, 1994, in Rome, a heart attack killed actor and director Massimo Troisi at the age of 41. Exponent of the new Neapolitan comedy – along with Lello Arena and Enzo DeCaro – the artist left a mark in the history of Italian entertainment. And as the twentieth anniversary of his death approaches, events in tribute to Troisi abound. Even across the border, in Lisbon, the Italian Cultural Institute has scheduled for June 5 a day devoted entirely to the director. The retrospective “Remembering Massimo Troisi” will begin at 11 am with the screening of “Ricomincio da tre,” followed at 3pm by “Scusate il ritardo.” Then , at 5pm “Non ci resta che piangere.” Clelia Bettini – doctor in Portuguese literature – will draw a portrait of the actor. The evening will conclude with the vision of Troisi’s last film: “Il Postino.” Based on the novel by Antonio Skármet “Neruda’s Postman,” and directed by Michael Radford, the film stars alongside Troisi Philippe Noiret, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Linda Moretti, and Renato Scarpa. The film, shot in 1994, was nominated for the 1996 Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (Troisi), Best director (Radford), Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score, by Argentine composer Luis Bacalov. Only the latter, however, turned into a win.
