Daniela Angelucci on Cinema, Philosophy, and the Art of Reality

In an interview with Artribune, film theorist Daniela Angelucci discusses the intertwined history of cinema and philosophy, arguing that cinema's technical origins and initial artistic uncertainty prompted theoretical reflection that shaped its development. She distinguishes between analytic (Anglo-American) and continental approaches to philosophy of film, advocating for an aesthetic perspective that considers the entire cinematic experience—including spectatorship and vision—rather than using films merely as examples. Angelucci addresses the evolution of cinema's artistic status, noting that the distinction between auteur and entertainment cinema has blurred, citing Quentin Tarantino as an example. She engages with Pier Paolo Pasolini's view of cinema as the 'natural language of the world,' emphasizing its poetic and irrational foundations. On the relationship between cinema and reality, she argues that even realist cinema requires stylization, referencing André Bazin and Cesare Zavattini. Angelucci discusses Henri Bergson's influence on film philosophy, particularly the concept of duration as a vital flow. She highlights Gilles Deleuze's contributions, especially the 'time-image' and the idea of cinema as a creative practice akin to philosophy, capable of revealing pure immanence and life forces. The interview was conducted by Davide Dal Sasso.