Feb. 18 – James Senese, Fiorello, Massimo Ranieri, Lina Sastri, Peppe Servillo, Peppe Barra, Stone Montecorvino, Raiz, Fausto Cigliano, M’Barka Ben Taleb, and Max Casella are the faces of the movie “Passione,” a journey into the world of Neapolitan songs performed by some of the greatest contemporary singers and musicians. This amazing cast is directed by the expert eye of Italian-American John Turturro. “Passion” is a documentary, a musical, but above all a passionate declaration of love to Neapolitan song and the city of Naples. The images, often unpublished, of the great voices of a distant past overlap with those of modern performers, able to carry on a glorious tradition, recreating it and renewing it. With this film, the American actor, director and screenwriter navigates the history of Neapolitan songs, from “Canto delle lavandaie del Vomero” from 1200 to “Napule è” by Pino Daniele. Turturro revives old and recent myths, he alternates amarcord with reconstruction… Songs and singers, real and legendary musicians and poets: these are the real stars of a film that focuses one of the most beautiful, famous and controversial cities of the world. And now Japan prepares to discover Naples and its “Passion.” On February 21 (at 3pm), the Auditorium Umberto Agnelli of the Italian Institute of Culture in Tokyo will host a screening of the documentary (with subtitles in Italian). (Gil)
