First screening in Malta of ๐ฟ๐๐ผ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐ (2021) by Manetti Bros. in the presence of the comic-book artist ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐ก๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ถ (Astorina)
23 September 2022, 18:30, Valletta Campus Theatre, Valletta
The Department of Italian and the M.A. in Film Studies of the University of Malta together with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura La Valletta are proud to announce the first screening in Malta of ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ค๐ก๐๐ (2021) by Manetti Bros.
The film boasts a top-notch cast including Luca Marinelli, Miriam Leone, Valerio Mastandrea as well as Claudia Gerini and is the second adaptation bringing to the silver screen the criminal mastermind Diabolik, the main character of the eponymous popular Italian comic-book series, of which 2022 marks the 60th anniversary since the publication of its very first issue (1 November 1962). The direction of the first adaptation of ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ค๐ก๐๐ (1968) was entrusted to the versatile filmmaker Mario Bava, often referred to as the Master of Italian Horror, while Ennio Morricone, one of the greatest film composers of all time, was given the task to write its score.
The comic-book series ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ค๐ก๐๐ is undoubtedly one of the most famous in Italy and has sold more than 150 million copies worldwide. Created by Angela Giussani, who was at the helm of the Milan-based publishing house Astorina (which is still releasing the series) and would later on share its scriptwriting with her younger sister Luciana, ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ค๐ก๐๐ launched a new trend in Italian comics through its distinguishing pocketbook format and, more than anything else, its celebration of a ruthless yet charming antihero partly inspired by the fictional villain Fantรดmas.
Its roaring success led to the birth of the so-called โfumetti neriโ (dark โ or noir โ comics), which would ensure the popularity of several other publishers. However, ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ค๐ก๐๐ and its competitors were not immune from harsh criticism: even the Italian parliament spoke out against such a ground-breaking trend which was keeping awake many parents, teachers and educationalists.
The 2021 film by Manetti Bros. finally brings back the Italian villain and master of disguise with a bang and is the first chapter of a trilogy, whose follow-up will be released in movie theatres the next 17 November. Marco and Antonio Manetti, better known as Manetti Bros., are brothers and partners in business and are known for their characteristic filmmaking style which pays self-reflexive tribute to the golden years of exploitation cinema.
The long-awaited film be screened in Italian with English subtitles on Friday 23 September 2022 at the University of Maltaโs Valletta Campus Theatre (St Paulโs Street, Valletta) at 18:30. A Q&A session with the renowned comic-book artist ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐ก๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ถ, penciller of the ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐ค๐ก๐๐ issue currently available in newsagents, will follow the screening.
The general public is cordially invited to the event and eฬณnฬณtฬณrฬณaฬณnฬณcฬณeฬณ ฬณiฬณsฬณ ฬณfฬณrฬณeฬณeฬณ.
