Vittorio De Seta: The Filmmaker Is an Athlete
Vittorio De Seta: The Filmmaker Is an Athlete

Movie spotlight

Vittorio De Seta: The Filmmaker Is an Athlete

2010
Movie
80 min
French

This portrait of a film director unlike any other attempts to capture the essence of Vittorio de Seta’s rapport with the humble people he filmed and elegantly brought to Cinema Scope’s big screen in color from the 1950s onwards. From his home in Calabria, the film director looks back over his epic films.

Insights

IMDb7.6/10
Director: Enrico Ghezzi, Alessandro GagliardoGenres: Documentary, Biography

Plot Summary

This extensive documentary explores the life and work of the seminal Italian documentary filmmaker Vittorio De Seta. Through archival footage, interviews, and analysis of his films, it delves into his unique approach to cinema, emphasizing his belief that a filmmaker must be physically engaged with their subject, much like an athlete. The film examines his early ethnographic works in Calabria and Sardinia, as well as his later narrative features, highlighting his distinct visual style and profound humanism.

Critical Reception

While specific critical reviews for this documentary are less widespread than for De Seta's own films, it is generally recognized within cinephile circles as an essential and comprehensive tribute to a highly respected but often overlooked master of documentary cinema. It's lauded for its depth and the access it provides to De Seta's artistic philosophy.

What Reviewers Say

  • A deep dive into the philosophy and practice of a singular documentary filmmaker.

  • Essential viewing for anyone interested in the history of Italian cinema and documentary form.

  • Celebrates De Seta's unique perspective and his 'athletic' approach to filmmaking.

Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific documentary is not readily available, but its subject, Vittorio De Seta, is highly regarded for his significant contributions to documentary filmmaking.

Fun Fact

The documentary's title, 'The Filmmaker Is an Athlete,' directly reflects Vittorio De Seta's personal philosophy that the director must be physically immersed in the environments and experiences they capture, undergoing rigorous effort akin to an athlete's training.

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