Masbedo revive lost 1939 film as video performance at Palermo's Arena Sirenetta
On July 20, 2018, at Arena Sirenetta in Mondello, the Italian artistic duo Masbedo, consisting of Nicolò Massazza (born 1973) and Iacopo Bedogni (born 1970), showcased their video performance titled 'Terra di Nessuno' during Manifesta 12 in Palermo. This work draws inspiration from a 1939 film by Mario Baffico, which was adapted from stories by Luigi Pirandello and a screenplay that has since been lost. Initially, the film encountered censorship in Fascist Italy and was only released after navigating bureaucratic challenges. The last existing copy was discovered at the Library of Congress in the late 1960s. Masbedo's performance, featuring a live score by Alberto Turra and Ramon Moro, linked the film's themes to contemporary issues and celebrated Arena Sirenetta's reopening after 12 years.
Key facts
- Masbedo is the collective name of Nicolò Massazza (born 1973) and Iacopo Bedogni (born 1970).
- The video performance 'Terra di Nessuno' was presented on July 20, 2018, at Arena Sirenetta in Mondello, Palermo.
- The work is based on a 1939 film by Mario Baffico adapted from two Pirandello stories and a lost screenplay.
- The film was censored under Fascist Italy for its themes of social justice and revolution.
- The only surviving copy was found at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., in the late 1960s.
- Only 6 of the original 8 reels survive.
- John Cassavetes admired the film, calling it a 'proto-western'.
- The live soundtrack was by Alberto Turra and Ramon Moro.
- Arena Sirenetta reopened after 12 years of closure for this event.
- The performance is part of Masbedo's 'Videomobile' project for Manifesta 12.
- Masbedo also presented 'Protocol no. 90/6' at the Archivio di Stato di Palermo, dedicated to Vittorio De Seta.
Entities
Artists
- Nicolò Massazza
- Iacopo Bedogni
- Masbedo
- Mario Baffico
- Luigi Pirandello
- John Cassavetes
- Alberto Turra
- Ramon Moro
- Vittorio De Seta
Institutions
- Manifesta 12
- Library of Congress
- Archivio di Stato di Palermo
- Artribune
Locations
- Palermo
- Italy
- Mondello
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- Arena Sirenetta