Blog

Sep

08

2023

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By Marco Mattiuzzi

Messenger of Love’: A Deep Dive into Losey’s Masterpiece

Movies

"Messenger of Love (The Go-Between)," a 1971 film directed by Joseph Losey In the world of cinema, few films have managed to capture the complexity and vulnerability of lost innocence as skillfully as Joseph Losey's "Messenger of Love" (The Go-Between). Thanks to a finely crafted script by Harold Pinter, the film becomes a whirlwind of nuances and allusions, an intricate web of clandestine passion and social discord set in the British countryside of the Edwardian era.Joseph Losey demonstrates acute sensitivity in directing, particularly in how he handles the sensuality and erotic tension of the film. Here, the sexual charge is…

Sep

06

2023

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By Marco Mattiuzzi

Unwrapping the Charm of Little Lord Fauntleroy: A Timeless Tale Revisited

Movies

"Little Lord Fauntleroy," a 1980 film directed by Jack Gold starring Rick Schroeder and Alec Guinness, depicts an American child transforming a grumpy British nobleman into a kindly grandfather simply by existing. Lord Dorincourt's transformation is a stroke of luck for him, but what about the rest of us? Well, we're stuck with a protagonist so overly sweet he could be mistaken for a bag of sugar.Cedric, or "Little Lord Fauntleroy," is practically an angel in socks and knickers. His perfection as a catalyst of good cheer is so pronounced that one almost expects wings and a halo to appear…

Sep

05

2023

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By Marco Mattiuzzi

Vasari’s Gaze: Unraveling Renaissance Lives and Art

Art, Literature

Giorgio Vasari's masterful work, "The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects," stands as a fundamental reference point in the Renaissance art scene, offering a lens through which to examine the lives of the masters who shaped this period. With captivating writing and keen observation of details, Vasari constructs a detailed fresco, narrating not only about greats like Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael, but also about other artists who, though less famous, significantly influenced Renaissance art. His work goes beyond mere cataloging of artistic feats, delving into the depths and ambiguities of characters populating this extraordinary period of cultural…

Sep

03

2023

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By Marco Mattiuzzi

Rediscovering History Through Art: Vincenzo Foppa’s Timeless Fresco

Art, Society

Un giovane immerso nella lettura di Cicerone: Vincenzo Foppa e l'eco della rinascita The article explores Vincenzo Foppa's fresco, a masterpiece from 1464 commissioned for the Medici Bank in Milan and now housed in the Wallace Collection in London. This artwork becomes a focal point for discussing the formative power of history and the cultural context in which it was created.In the midst of the Renaissance, there was a growing attraction to the classical heritage, ranging from fine arts to philosophy. Unlike mere allegorical interpretation, the rediscovery of classical texts was intended as a vehicle to understand ancient civilization and…

Sep

01

2023

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By Marco Mattiuzzi

Unraveling Balthus: Artist, Enigma, and Cultural Paradox

Art

Balthus: The Artist and the Enigma Balthus, the artistic name of Balthasar Klossowski de Rola, is a figure who stirred contrasting emotions in the 20th-century art and cultural scene. Born in Paris in 1908 and living until 2001, his work is distinguished by a focus on the human figure, particularly depictions of adolescents and young women in contexts ranging from the everyday to the dreamlike. Balthus himself always defined himself as an “uncomfortable” artist, a term that has made his works a focal point of heated debates. The discussions often revolve around the intent, nature, and ethics of his work,…

Aug

29

2023

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By Marco Mattiuzzi

Michelangelo’s Masterpiece Revisited: The Bandini Pietà

Art

A Stone and Marble Sanctuary: Encountering Bandini's Pietà On an artistic pilgrimage through Florence's Renaissance cradle, I found solace on an unexpectedly chilly May day – so cold that I was compelled to buy a scarf – within the cultural haven of the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. Ah, what a delightful captivity! A healthy exercise for the soul and heart, this museum confinement allows for an inner wandering, a contemplation detached from the frantic rhythms of everyday life.Countless treasures occupy these halls, from renowned art monuments to hidden gems that reveal themselves only to the observant and inquisitive eye. Here,…

Aug

25

2023

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By Marco Mattiuzzi

Rights as Choices: Debunking the Misconception of Obligation in Civil Liberties

Society

In the modern age, the rise of civil rights has drawn an increasingly intricate and sophisticated map of individual freedoms. However, among the multitude of voices populating the public debate, there exists a persistent and deeply rooted misconception: the belief that the assertion of a right translates into a moral or social obligation. It's time to clarify: rights do not oblige.Take, for instance, the right to divorce. Introduced as a means of liberation from the chains of an unhappy or dangerous marriage, it has never mandated a duty to end the marital bond. Its essence was not to decree the…

Aug

24

2023

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By Marco Mattiuzzi

The Paradox of Knowledge in the Digital Age

Society

In the contemporary era, marked by a growing tide of information where access to knowledge seems to be just a click away, a paradox emerges strongly: despite being immersed in a sea of knowledge, we often swim in the shallow waters of ignorance. In light of this, we might ask ourselves: is an opinion without a solid foundation of knowledge like a building without foundations? It may seem solid, but at the slightest gust of wind, it risks collapsing.We live in times where expressing an opinion has become an inalienable right, almost a duty. Social media amplify every voice, turning…

Aug

24

2023

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By Marco Mattiuzzi

Navigating Adolescence in ‘Moonrise Kingdom’: A Cinematic Exploration

Movies

Among the many facets of cinema, few films manage to capture the elusive essence of childhood with the same grace and sensitivity as "Moonrise Kingdom." Wes Anderson doesn't just present a story: he gifts us a memory, a fleeting reminiscence of that time in life when every emotion is amplified and every adventure seems endless.Watching "Moonrise Kingdom," one is enveloped in a sense of sweet melancholy. It's as if Anderson distilled the very essence of childhood – with its joys, fears, uncertainties, and discoveries – and gently poured it onto the big screen. There's not a moment when we don't…

Aug

21

2023

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By Marco Mattiuzzi

Navigating the Balance: Free Speech and Minority Rights in Democracies

Society

Introduction: The right to opinion stands as a fundamental pillar of democratic societies, allowing citizens to freely express their ideas, beliefs, and values on a wide range of issues. However, it is crucial to recognize that this freedom should not be used as a shield to justify defamation or denigration of specific groups of people, such as members of the LGBTQ+ community or ethnic groups like Jews. This article delves into the complex balance between the right to opinion and the protection of minorities, highlighting how democracy requires a thoughtful and responsible approach in exercising this right. The Foundations of…