M.Michelangelo Buonarrotithe protagonist of the Italian Renaissance, relives in movie biographical Sin – Michelangelo’s furyon air this evening at 21.15 on Rai 5. Directed by Andrej Končalovskij, it retraces some fundamental stages in the life of the Tuscan artist, played by Alberto Testone.
Sin – Michelangelo’s furyplot
Creating a portrait of one of the most important artists in history is not an easy thing. The director does so, condensing an important slice of Michelangelo’s life into 120 minutes. These are the years in which he has to juggle families Della Rovere and Medicicrossed by a heated rivalry.
Rivalry that adds to the paturnie of the artist from Arezzo, already tormented by conflicts with his family of origin and with himself. The film focuses on the making of two works – the tomb of Pope Julius II in Rome and the facade of the basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence – to tell the genius and restlessness of Buonarroti.
After completing the construction of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo is hired by Pope Julius II for the design of his tomb. The agreement provides for the stipulation of an exclusive with the Della Rovere family. A short time later, the pontiff succeeded Pope Leo X, apparently to the Medici.
Alberto Testone in the film “Sin – Michelangelo’s fury”. (01 Distribution)
Michelangelo between the Della Rovere and the Medici
It is the beginning of a war between patrons, which leads Buonarroti to juggle between a rock and a hard place. Immediately, the new pontiff blocked the design of the tomb and entrusted the artist with further tasks, which forced him to navigate between the various commitments. On background, profound economic instability, a heated artistic rivalry with the artists of the time and the struggle between two of the most powerful families of the time.
The works at the center of the film are reminiscent of the contrast between Rome and Florence, two different, distant realities, equally fundamental for the Renaissance. Michelangelo is torn between the two, he doesn’t know how to choose and decides to work on both squares. By doing so, he attracts the envy and not too positive judgments of his colleagues. However, Buonarroti does not care because he is aware of his own skill. An awareness that has handed him over to history as a stingy and proud man.
The majesty of the works created, in fact, is a counterbalance the private of their author. Michelangelo is a genius divided halfway between the artistic skills and the sins of a common mortal. The verses ofHell are a constant, he repeats them from memory and sees in Dante Alighieri a reference point of one’s existence.
Alberto Testone in “Sin – Michelangelo’s fury”. (01 Distribution)
Director Končalovskij: “Michelangelo, a tormented man”
At the same time, it leads a dissolute life, between fights and violence of all kinds. A distant portrait from the immense artist that has been consigned to history. An immensity not obscured by sins, precisely by virtue of the genius that distinguished it. Sin – Michelangelo’s fury it is also a fresco of the Italy of the time, a dark page, characterized by corruption and often inhumane social conditions.
A grim, gloomy context, which the director well photographs and re-proposes to the spectators. The film was released in 2019 and was shot in Tuscany. Among the main places, the Apuan Alps, the Malaspina Castle of Massa, Florence and Val d’Orcia. Andrej Končalovskij defines Michelangelo as «a very tormented manvery sensitive towards injustices ».
On the existence of the Tuscan genius, he states: “His whole life has been difficult. He made beautiful sculptures and he had problemsi all the time. Like any artist, he has clashed with power, with the government, with society, with injustices ». About the time he lived in, he remembers that the Renaissance «was not an easy time for anyone, but it was a great time for art. I think that art experiences its best stages when there are difficult times. War creates art, more beautiful than peace. Even the plague can create incredible masterpieces ».
A scene from the film “Sin – Michelangelo’s fury”. (01 Distribution)
The protagonist Alberto Testone and the rest of the cast
To interpret Michelangelo Buonarroti is Alberto Testone. Born in 1963 in Rome, the actor recognizes himself in different aspects of the sculptor’s life. “I come from the periphery, not from a muffled environment. Consequentially, I tried to take what my experience has been“, he has declared.
On the artist’s private life, he underlines: “He had big problems in relating to the nobles, with strong personalities, therefore it was easier for him to talk to the quarrymen than to a cardinal or a pope. He was a very gloomy man. He never laughed, he never showed joy ».
In addition to Testone, the cast includes Jakob Diehl and Francesco Gaudiello in the role of Peppe and Pietro respectively. Antonio Gargiulo is Francesco Maria della Roverewhile Massimo De Francovich plays Pope Julius II. Lorenzo de ‘Medici and Cardinal Giulio de’ Medici have the faces of respectively Nicola Adobati And Nicola De Paola.
Yet, Simone Toffanin as Pope Leo X, Orso Maria Guerrini is the Marquis Malaspina, Glen Blackhall is Raffaello Sanzio. They complete Federico Vanni (Jacopo Sansovino), Adriano Chiaramida (Ludovico Buonarroti) and Mirco Sassoli (the mouse).
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