Marco Tullio Giordana’s ‘The Life Apart’ Unveils Trailer, Discusses Bellocchio

Renowned Italian director Marco Bellocchio reached out to his friend, fellow filmmaker Marco Tullio Giordana, about a project that had been years in the making. Giordana swiftly agreed to join the endeavor. The result, “The Life Apart,” premieres out of competition at this year’s Locarno Film Festival, where Giordana will also be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Pardo.

Adapted from Mariapia Veladiano’s acclaimed novel of the same name, “The Life Apart” is set in Vicenza, Italy, spanning the 1980s to the 2000s. The story centers around a young girl named Rebecca, portrayed by Sara Ciocca as a child and Beatrice Barison as a young woman. Rebecca is marginalized by her mother due to a large facial birthmark. She finds comfort in playing the piano, a talent nurtured by her aunt Erminia, played by Sonia Bergamasco.

“[Bellocchio] asked me to read the screenplay and I just loved it. Then I read the novel and fell in love with it as well, so I rewrote the script to make it my own,” Giordana told Variety about his initial involvement. Bellocchio not only co-wrote the screenplay but also produced the film alongside Simone Gattoni under Kavac Film, in collaboration with Rai Cinema and the Veneto Film Commission.

“When I dreamed of becoming a filmmaker, I had two idols: Marco Bellocchio and Bernardo Bertolucci,” Giordana said. “The admiration I had for Marco back then remains unchanged today, perhaps even stronger. As a producer, he has an incredible knack for organizing the production of not only his films but also those of his peers. He respects your work immensely. We had a wonderful relationship, though I generally maintain good relations with producers because I adhere to the budget.”

Staying on budget didn’t hinder Giordana from bringing his vision of “The Life Apart” to life. The film was shot in the picturesque city of Vicenza, and the cast included trained pianists for the lead roles. “I dislike when films about musicians cut from their faces to their hands; it feels like a tease,” he stated.

“Casting was crucial here since the protagonists are musicians. We wanted real professional piano players. Sonia, beyond being a great actress, is also a concert artist. Beatrice, who had never acted before, is a trained pianist and now has a promising acting career ahead of her.”

The film is dedicated to the late Belgian director Chantal Akerman. Giordana expressed great admiration for Akerman, calling her “one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century.” He recalled a brief yet memorable meeting with her, where she spoke highly of his work. Akerman’s eventual suicide after her mother’s death deeply affected Giordana, prompting him to dedicate the film to her. “I wish she could see it. I wish she were still alive.”

Returning to Locarno is a sentimental journey for Giordana, who won the festival’s Golden Leopard for his debut feature “To Love the Damned” in 1980. “Winning the Golden Leopard was a pivotal moment in my career. Returning fills me with nostalgia, especially for that year. Locarno has an extraordinary audience and the evening screenings in the Piazza Grande, with a massive screen and 7,000 viewers, are unparalleled.”

On what continues to inspire him after nearly five decades, Giordana said: “I observe the world around me. I listen to people, read newspapers, magazines, and books. I watch other films. When something strikes me, I feel compelled to shape it into a film.”

Source: Variety