Changes to the opening program of the 80th Venice Film Festival 2023, following the current strike of Hollywood actors along with the strike of screenwriters, forced director Alberto Barbera and all organizers to change the program of the event, which will be held in Lido, from August 30 to September 9. So, with stars Zendaya, Mike Feist and Josh O’Connor likely not to appear on the Venetian red carpet, Guadagnino’s film, which had already been delayed, has now also been canceled by the festival.
Thus, it will no longer be the Challengers that will officially open Venice 2023, but Edoardo De Angelis’ latest historical drama film Comandante, starring Pierfrancesco Favino. From the editing of Lorenzo Peluso to the scenography by Carmine Guarino, from the photography curated by Ferran Paredas Rubbio to the costumes of the Italian multiple Oscar nominee, Matteo, we have excellent technicians in the making of the film. “Pinocchio” by Garrone in 2021 and “Cirano” by Joe Wright in 2022 by Massimo Cantini Parrini
The film directed by Edoardo De Angelis, written by the latter with Sandro Veronesi, is a production by Indigo Film and O’Groove with Rai Cinema, Tramp LTD, V-Groove, Wise Pictures, with Beside Productions, in collaboration with the Italian Navy and Cinecitta. In addition to being presented as a world premiere, it will also be part of the event’s competition. Comandante is the true story of Commander Salvatore Todaro, who saved the lives of sailors who survived the wreck of an enemy merchant ship. During World War II, Salvatore Todaro was commander of the Cappellini Regia Marina submarine. In October 1940, the Cappellini was in the middle of the Atlantic when, in the dark of the night, the outline of what would later become the Cabalo, a Belgian-flagged merchant ship, suddenly opened fire on the submarine. and Italian crew. A short but fierce battle breaks out, ending with the sinking of a Belgian cargo ship. At this point, Commander Todaro makes a decision that will go down in history. Rescue 26 Belgian Castaways to land at the nearest safe port in accordance with the Law of the Sea. But to do this, he must take them on board, and then he will be forced to swim on the surface for three days, making himself visible to enemies and seriously endangering both his life and the life of the entire crew. Arriving at their destination, when the captain of the Cabalo, having landed in the bay of Santa Maria in the Azores, asked him why he put himself and his people in such great danger, contrary to the instructions of his own command, Captain Todaro replied: the words that made him legend. “Because we are Italians.”
So, a great film made by a great director that tells the story of a great Italian. It is important to note that the 1940 Cappellini submarine, 73 meters long and weighing 70 tons of steel, was recreated in every detail for the film, based on designs found at the Navy Historical Bureau. More than 100 specialists, including engineers, builders and craftsmen, took part in its creation in cooperation with Cinecittà , the work lasted 8 months and ended with the launch in the arsenal pool of the Navy.
Not all evils have a silver lining if a Hollywood cast and writers’ strike has led to De Angelis’ The Captain being the film that will officially open the famed Laguna Film Festival.
Paul Tinorio