IT
It’s not only excitement, but also satisfaction for the animated movie “Le stelle di Dora – Le sfide del generale dalla Chiesa”, in a worldwide premiere for out-of-the-competition #Giffoni53.
It’s not only excitement, but also satisfaction for the animated movie “Le stelle di Dora – Le sfide del generale dalla Chiesa”, in a worldwide premiere for out-of-the-competition #Giffoni53. This satisfaction it’s given by the knowledge of having portrayed “the story of such an important man via an animated film that reaches the heart of young people”. To the premiere were present the directors (and creators of the graphic novel by the same name) Ciaj Rocchi and Matteo Demonte as well as voice actors, Francesco Pannofino and Domitilla D’Amico, and the composers Raffaele Tedesco, Giuseppe Tortora, Fabio Sartori, and Riccardo Cimino. With them, General of Carabinieri Corps Alfonso Manzo, Captain Francesco D’Ottavio, and Elena Guerri Dall’oro – facilitator of the mission facility for the promotion of national anniversaries and of the new generations dimension.
The story begins from the end, from the last lines between the – now prefect of Palermo – general Carlo Alberto dalla Chiesa and his second wife Emanuela Setti Carraro. Before the infamous bullets kill the couple, many flashbacks start: Who was he? Where he was from – this man from Piedmont, son of a Carabinieri general? At the very beginning he was a volunteer in Montenegro in WWII, then a Carabiniere lieutenant in the years of the Italian resistance, next a member of the command against banditry in Sicily in the first years of the Italian Republic, and later captain on duty in Rome, Florence, Como, and Milan. A career build on the field, by finally coming back to Sicily as commander in Palermo first – where he studied the mafia phenomenon – and as prefect later. His last sacrifice –without uniform and with just one security man – done in the name of law and of fearlessness.
“When Captain D’Ottavio suggested a collaboration, I couldn’t help but agree” – D’Amico explains – “It’s of fundamental importance to commemorate our heroes, and this is a hero that shaped our nation’s history. The key to get to the heart of children and teenagers – the target of our ambitious project – is simplicity. I hope that I did convey what this hero did to all of us.” Even Pannofino – the voice actor of Dalla Chiesa – is touched: “is there anything better than telling the story of such an important man with an animated movie? A movie for a youth that wasn’t even born when the general died. Education via an animated film is a beautiful and winning idea, a wonderful action.” He also says: “i tried to convey all my emotions. I am the child of a Carabiniere, and a friend of them. I still feel safe and secure when I see them today.”
Shedding some lights on the artistic choices are the directors and the screenwriters: “We started from his death because it was the most difficult to recount.“ says Ciaj Rocchi – “in the moments before his death, the general reminiscences on his life.“ Damonte explains: “It is difficult to tailor such a story to a child audience. For this reason, we used as a cinematic mean the choice of using different genres to portray five turning points. For example, the second chapter – Dalla Chiesa tales in Corleone – has a western vibe, because the setting is ideal for it. On the contrary, in the chapter on his fight against Brigate Rosse terrorism, the obvious choice was a detective story, with a more dumbfounding soundtrack”.
With some statisfaction general Alfonso Manzo continues: “Our goal – with the graphic novel before and now with the film – is to carry on with the lesson that Dalla Chiesa left. The general was very passionate about young people, he always counted on them. When he was already a target in Palermo, he kept going to school to talk to them. Youth is the future, but that’s only because of those that, in the past, did whatever it took to leave them a better world.” And so does Captain Francesco D’Ottavio: “My job was to negotiate between the artistic and military soul. Our work had three threads: the first describes the hero that goes beyond the ordinary. The second is one of love, which is the most appealing to young people. The story of the general is seen through his first wife Dora’s eyes. The third thread is one of hope, as shown by the last song of the movie, written by Tedesco and sung by Tortora and Sartori. This thread tells something important, that fate cannot be chosen. Life and death have meaning. The general gave meaning to both his life and death so others could follow his example.”
Elena Guerri Dall’oro addressed the Giffoner: “I have children your age. My word to them applies also to you: “Be curious, do not be afraid of reading and interacting”, because that’s what gives you a better understanding of the world. I tell them to be conscious and reliable, to not live like aliens”.
No wonder that they are thinking of other projects for the younger audience, starting with a piece on the Italian war of liberation from nazis and fascists. General Manzo explains: “We will highlight prominent figures like the Carabiniere Salvo D’Acquisto. We will tell stories unknown by most to let people know that the Italy of today is founded on the sacrifice of many – either military or civilian”.