Cassevetes, Coppola, Huston — these are the names of America’s multigenerational filmmakers. In Italy, that name belongs to Argento.
In recognition of the Argento family’s contributions to world cinema, the Museum of Arts and Design celebrates their four decades of achievement with Argento: Cinema Nel Sangue (Argento: Cinema in the Blood), a two-month retrospective of screenings, running from March 23 to May 25, 2012.
Argento: Cinema Nel Sangue showcases the accomplishments of the Argentos, a notable Italian family of directors, producers, writers and actors. From this one household has come a startling range of movies in multiple genres. Throughout this body of work, the hallmark of the Argento name has been artistry through innovative cinematic techniques and approaches.
The origins of the Argento output began in the 1960s with progenitor Salvatore Argento. His sons followed him into the family business — Claudio, as a producer, and Dario, first as a writer. Then, with his father and brother as producers, Dario branched into directing, his approach to the giallo instantly earning him — and the family — both international acclaim and a signature style. (“Giallo” is both the Italian word for yellow and name of the Italian thriller film genre, named after the the yellow paper of pulp murder novels, which was extremely popular in the 1970s. Known for stylish slasher scenes, expressive use of music, and a whodunit element, giallo became one of the most influential genres of Italian cinema.)
MAD’s Argento: Cinema in the Blood will show a range of the Argentos’ giallo motion pictures — some classic, some rare, and many in 35mm prints, including Dario Argento’s, The Three Mothers Trilogy. Dario Argento co-wrote the second film in the Mothers Trilogy with Daria Nicolodi, his longtime collaborator, the mother of their daughter, Asia, and a frequent actress in his movies. Now 36, Asia Argento followed her parents into the movies as both actress and director, as well as screenwriter. Her work in front of the camera and behind it supplies other offerings in MAD’s Argento: Blood in the Cinema, including her semi-autobiographical 2000 film, Scarlet Diva, which she wrote, starred in and directed, and which was produced by her uncle Claudio.
Film screenings will be held in the Theater at MAD, at 2 Columbus Circle.
All film screenings $7 MAD Members and Students with Valid ID, $10 General
Argento: Cinema Nel Sangue is organized by Jake Yuzna, Manager of Public Programs.
For additional information visit: MAD
