There New York Woody Allen well known not only for her cult films, but also for books, her words, put on paper, like about nothing (2020, published in Italy by La Nave di Teseo). However, thisEurope became the second home for the American director. The continent that accepted him, supported him, loved him very much and still loves him – which he himself admitted more than once. When a Woody Allen film was successful in the US, it was a box office success in Europe: there is no doubt about it.
However, over time Woody Allen Cinema it has become European in every sense and purpose. Here he began to make his films, creating a true tradition of tragicomedy story after story. And while he wandered with his team through Spain, France, England or Italy, he also allowed himself – but more recently – to debut in opera, his great passion, at the Rock in Milan (2021) with his own version of the opera. Gianni Schicchi Giacomo Puccini, stating that he was inspired by “Italian neorealism of the 50s, as if it were the work of De Sica or Fellini”.
We decided to focus on Woody Allen European Cinema, telling about his universe through 4 films. A small journey through the stories, cultures, characters, loved by the general public.
Match Points (2005) is the first film directed entirely by Allen in England. It was not a real choice, but rather a necessity. Obviously, shooting in New York was too expensive for the film’s budget, and so the director had to resort to London and a mostly British technical and artistic staff. Case yes, but very successful. Match Points in fact, many consider it his latest masterpiece (a word that, let’s face it, is often overused in movies). Everything in the film revolves around a story tinged with greed, lust and money in a perfect thriller vein. Originally set in the New York Hamptons, the film features some key locations in London such as the Tate Modern, Norman Foster’s 30 St Mary Ax, the Lloyd’s Building designed by Richard Rogers, the Royal Opera House and the Palace in the background of the film, which was originally set in the New York Hamptons. Westminster.
In addition to the English capital, which also returns to Scoop (2006), another major city he has portrayed is Barcelona and the film Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), a cinematic work that legitimized the union of the talented and beautiful Penelope Cruz (for the role for which she receives the award for Best Supporting Actress) and Javier Bardem. Woody Allen also returns to Spain later, in 2020 with Rifkins Festival located in San Sebastian, Bay of Biscay, Basque Country. But let’s focus on the first title among his most popular films: Vicky Cristina Barcelona, which develops between several cities or between Barcelona, Aviles and Oviedo, sees two American tourists approached by a charming Spanish artist who invites them to spend a weekend together, making it bright and painful, showing the love of the two in its various forms and inclinations.
Midnight in Paris, 2011
There are also photos of Paris. Allen dives into the French capital and chooses a story – a bit like Vicky Cristina Barcelona – full of artistry and talent. It’s about Midnight in Paris (2011), in which the charm of Ville Lumiere is felt and seen from the very first images. This is a romantic time travel. A unique romantic that only Allen is capable of. His Parisian love manifests itself not here for the first time, but already in hello kitty he stated it, and Everyone says that I love you. Modern Paris meets 1920s Paris, and there’s no shortage of characters like Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald, Buñuel and Picasso. IN Midnight in Paris, Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars 2012, the most recognizable roles in the city – “Hotel Bristol”, “Staircase of the Church of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont”, “Restaurant Polydor”, “Restaurant Le Grand Vefour”, “Shakespeare Bookshop” and company”, “Restaurant Maxim” and “Musee Rodin”. A small but necessary curiosity: Woody Allen returned to Paris and its environs to shoot Coupe de Chance (2023), which had its world premiere at the 80th Venice Film Festival.
To Rome with Love, 2012
Finally, it is impossible not to mention To Rome with love (2012), one of the funniest films ever made by Woody Allen, though not one of the best. We feel the director’s extreme affection for our country, but the script is a repetition of what has already been seen in his cinema. Filmed entirely in Rome, with a clear view of the most famous places, including Piazza del Popolo, the Campo dei Fiori market and Piazza di Spagna, the film tells several stories, the adventures of different characters that blend together in the series. misunderstandings and ups and downs, and among the Italian translators Roberto Benigni, Antonio Albanese, Alessandra Mastronardi, Ornella Muti, Flavio Parenti, Riccardo Scamarchio. Note, all Italian, also applies to the soundtrack To Rome with love in which some musical works appear in the interpretation of the orchestra, including In blue dyed blue Domenico Modugno, Goodbye Roma Renato Russell and some operatic arias such as Nobody sleeps from “Turandot” by Giacomo Puccini, Love forbids you from Fedora Umberto Giordano e Wear a jacket from Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo.
I am a journalist and author. I work between traditional publishing, online and TV, and in what I do, comparison and research is fundamental. Everything related to art, culture, entertainment fascinates and intrigues me. Whether it’s an interview, live broadcast, podcast or TV format, I’m interested in telling and sharing stories, paths, creations. My collaborations include Artribune, Cinecittà News Video and Luce Social Club (on Sky Arte).