The rhetoric of leaving Rome: from Verdone to Remotti
Carlo Verdone's recent outburst about wanting to leave Rome has reignited a recurring cultural discourse. The actor, who plays a character leaving the city in Paolo Sorrentino's 'La grande bellezza', described feeling trapped by Rome's decay. Art critic Libero de Libero distinguished between nostalgia and the anxiety of leaving. Remo Remotti's song 'Mamma Roma addio' became an anthem of departure. Filmmakers Gianfranco Rosi and Nanni Moretti have also explored the theme. The article argues that 'leaving Rome' is a rhetorical trope rarely acted upon, reflecting a deeper ambivalence about the city.
Key facts
- Carlo Verdone expressed desire to leave Rome in an interview
- Verdone's character Romano leaves Rome in Sorrentino's 'La grande bellezza'
- Two scenes explaining Romano's departure were cut from the film
- Libero de Libero distinguished nostalgia from anxiety of leaving Rome
- Remo Remotti wrote the song 'Mamma Roma addio'
- Gianfranco Rosi's 'Sacro GRA' did not explore why people leave Rome
- Nanni Moretti questioned why people moved to Casal Palocco in the 1960s
- The article suggests 'leaving Rome' is a rhetorical threat rarely fulfilled
Entities
Artists
- Carlo Verdone
- Paolo Sorrentino
- Libero de Libero
- Remo Remotti
- Gianfranco Rosi
- Nanni Moretti
- Plinio de Martiis
- Irene Brin
- Palma Bucarelli
- Stefano Ciavatta
Institutions
- Artribune
- Bompiani
- Galleria L'Obelisco
- Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna (GNAM)
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Ara Coeli
- Monteverde
- Pincio
- Via del Babuino
- Via di Ripetta
- Via Sistina
- Via Margutta
- Casal Palocco
- Mezzocammino
- India