Italian Identities – Stories and Memories of the Community

Marcello Zeppi

doi:10.37390/avancacinema.2021.a282

Abstract

The definition of Cultural Worker has changed over the years, and today this definition coincides mainly with historians and researchers of Community Life.With the project “Italian Identities - Stories and Memories of a Community” we want to undertake an action of shared responsibility necessary to overcome the negative effects of the pandemic. The aim, therefore, is not simply the realization of an audio-visual product (documentary), but to redefine and enhance the life of the Community and the ability to educate with concrete examples.In this way it becomes easier to write the script of a documentary that investigates the historical, cultural and anthropological aspects of a community.We want to achieve two main objectives. First of all, we aim to enhance the popular tradition of oral storytelling, creating a story of identity that puts citizens at the centre. Secondly, we aim to show and talk about the places where the community meets, such as social clubs and voluntary associations.The project will combine stories of yesterday and today, producing an exchange of empathy that goes beyond time, geographical boundaries and generations. The words will become a moment of encounter between history and contemporaneity. The words, but also the faces and expressions that, as an intangible universal language, allow us to glimpse the infinite horizon of emotional exchange within a community and the roots of its origin.

Highlights

Culture, work and social cohesion are fundamental elements for the common Heritage
Through the documentary genre which becomes the means to overcome the negative effects of the pandemic, to remember the past and narrate the present, and eventually to bring together communities undermined by the physical and emotional distance of this historical period
The official premiere of the audio-visual productions presented in various formats will take place during the Montecatini International Short Film Festival 72, and the promotion will be echoed through television stations, streaming platforms, YouTube, Vimeo and social channels, as well as participation in other national and international film festivals, and in Centres and Institutes of Italian Language and Culture

Summary

Introduction

Work and social cohesion are fundamental elements for the common Heritage. The COVID-19 health emergency has undermined this heritage, forcing communities to physically distance themselves, but the will to come together and be there for each other is stronger than ever. The health emergency has not stopped this commitment, but more than ever has strengthened it thanks to the use of technological tools that allow the preservation of the folk tradition of oral storytelling It is the cinema, through the documentary genre which becomes the means to overcome the negative effects of the pandemic, to remember the past and narrate the present, and eventually to bring together communities undermined by the physical and emotional distance of this historical period. Music gave value to the identity of a country Architecture is another element that identifies us as a community. How the Italian identity of Montecatini is linked to this heritage of music, architecture, historical memories and illustrious testimonies. As we will see later, cinema is one of the most powerful means of combining all the arts, including music and architecture, and narrating the identity of a city, a community, Italy itself

Cinema as an Expression of Identity

The importance of the community participation

Education in Film Criticism as an Instrument for Investigating the Territory

Conclusion