Woody Allen and Gabriele D'Annunzio (Italian article)
 

The main reason I posted this is to link a book review of a famous Italian novelist, D'Annunzio. I thought it was by another famous Italian writer, Malaparte but I was too quick off the mark because there is an advertisement for Malaparte's work above the article and it misled me.
The article is worth reading all the same. I link a poem by D'Annunzio at the end of this piece.

It's still worth while to mention Malaparte in the same discussion. Both men have tainted reputations and both are greatly admired despite this fact. I don't think it's possible to understand twentieth century Italy without knowing something about both writers, their connections and influence.

Curzio Malaparte, was once a speech writer for Mussolini but was sent into exile and then the Russian front for writing denunciations of Hitler and Mussolini and for having a love affair with the wife of the first Agnelli (owner of Fiat). (Susanna Agnelli's "We all Wore Sailor Suits" tells this story.) So we are deep in janus-faced politics.
Malaparte was a fine writer and his two accounts of World War 2 are masterpieces. The first, "Kaputt" when he was sent to the Eastern front and the other when the Italians and Americans entered Naples. "La Pelle".

~~~~~


We have been investigating the films of Woody Allen (stuck in the country we do that sort of thing) and have just watched a serious film he wrote and directed in the UK: "Match Point". As I watched it I wondered what the psychology and story line reminded me of and I suddenly realised it was the Italian poet and novelist Gabriele D'Annunzio 1863—1938. His famous novel "L'Innocente" is founded on the decay of a character trapped in a situation which is the product of passion and weakness and all of the human vices. As a result of his own succumbing to temptation the novel's chief protagonist commits a sadistic murder just like the fresh-faced young tennis coach in "Match Point".

In "Match Point" the central character is shown reading Dostoevsky. In the article about D'Annunzio the writer points out the influence of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy on D'Annunzio. This was an eye-opener for me. The sensual and decorative aspects of D'Annunzio had blinded me to this obvious truth.

D'Annunzio is an equivocal figure who contributed considerably to the development and encouragement of Italian fascism. This is a fine article about his first novel, "L'Innocente".


My main reason for posting this confused message is to say that Woody Allen's story develops entirely through the psychological interplay of his characters. No imposed plotting directs the characters. They behave as they do because of who they are. "Match Point" is a very European film. Woody's own personal life might have been written by D'Annunzio.
For those who read Italian here is D'Annunzio's famous poem "La pioggia nel pineto

never mind, quoth the Raven.

Janice,
There's a thought lurking there. Let's hear it.
Many people are so repelled by D'Annunzio's political behaviour (like Ezra Pound's) that they can't read him but he was enormously influential in many ways.

Malaparte was buried in China.

Woody Allen was temporarily buried in New York which is why "Match Point" was made in the UK. (Joke.)

Art rises above all of the rest of life.

Let's hear your "never mind". I'm sure your ideas about this topic extend beyond being cross with me for posting a notice on "Translation". Sorry if that was intrusive. I hoped to engage the interest of those who know some Italian.

Lord, Janet, I am not cross with you.
How can anyone be cross with you?
Beg pardon for messing up your thread.

Janice,
Lots of people are cross with me ;-)

I know that children of the enlightenment are a bit loath to approach these writers. Have you read them or have you seen that particular film of Woody Allen's?

Janet,

That's fascinating about the link between the Allen film and D'Annunzio's novel. I love Match Point, have seen it three times, and agree it is very Euro. But then, Allen is anyway, methinks. He's the European existentialist who grew up under a roller coaster on Coney Island. I know D'Annunzio's poetry but not his novels. He was quite the prolific little swaggerer, and certainly very talented. I like his poetry.

I feel terribly ignorant for not knowing Malaparte. I'll have to read him at some point.

Thanks for the interesting post.

Andrew

Andrew,
I had known D'Annunzio because of all the operas inspired by his work but it was not until I met a poet called Raffaele Perrotta that I was persuaded to read the novels. People of our background have a natural distaste about reading anyone so deeply associated with fascism but it is our own loss if we don't investigate writing of that calibre. Did you know that D'Annunzio designed much of the first Rinascente department store? He was into everything.

Malaparte was a sort of modern Cellini, in that his biographical novels are both fact and fiction. A mixture of magic realism and fact. He is essential reading I think.

Both men were not only of their time but helped to shape the time in which they lived.

I'm very glad to have been able to arouse your interest in these two historical figures. I know enough of Italy to be aware that the mere mention of their names will start a fight ;-)
Janet