Anna Maria Tato
Italy
Today Un Certain Regard sees the premiere of Mi ricordo, si mi ricordo, Anna Maria Tato's documentary on legendary Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni. Filmed in Portugal during breaks in the production of Manoel de Oliveira's Voyage au debut du monde, in which Mastroianni stars, Mi ricordo tells the story of this prolific actor's life: a story dictated by memory.
During his "film-confession", Mastroianni's reminiscences meander, touching on his involvement with famed directors De Sica, Visconti and Fellini; his predilection for Chekhov, Diderot and Proust; his status as a 'Latin Lover' and his love of Hollywood cinema.
Tato, Mastroianni's companion of 22 years, was obliged to leave much of the six hours of footage she had originally shot on the cutting room floor. Among the moments lost are the actor's memories of his adolescence and his remarks about his favourite cities. However, a more complete version of the film, rumoured to run three to four hours, will screen at the Venice Film Festival in the autumn.
Mastroianni and Tato conceived the project as an affair "between friends". Roberto Cicutto, who produced the film, had known Mastroianni for many years and worked with him on several projects, including Roberto Faenza's Sostiene Pereira (1995) and Maria Louisa Bemberg's De Eso No Se Habla (1993). Celebrated Italian cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno shot the film in 35mm on Tato's insistence.
Commenting on what Mastroianni means to the Italian people, producer Cicutto states: "First and foremost, Marcello is a friend. Yes, he is a myth, but one that never ceased to remain an ordinary human being. He never considered himself a star; he used to say that perhaps life had rewarded him greatly because he, in turn, loved life - loved living life - so much."
Stephanie Marriott
Prod co: Mikado Films and Instituto Luce with Cinecitta and Rai
Prod: Roberto Cicutto
Dir/Ed: Anna Maria Tato
Ph: Giuseppe Rotunno
Mus: Armando Trovaioli
Running time: 100 mins
Int sales: Mikado Films
