World Premiere of 'Le memorie di Giorgio Vasari' at Bif&st

The film 'Le memorie di Giorgio Vasari' had its world premiere at the Bif&st – Bari International Film Festival in Puglia, running until April 28. Directed by Luca Verdone, the film presents a first-person narrative of Giorgio Vasari's life and works, highlighting his dedication to drawing and his influences from Michelangelo and Andrea Del Sarto. Verdone overcame challenges by selecting pre-existing buildings adaptable to Renaissance scenography, with cinematography by Gianluca Gallucci enhancing the Renaissance atmosphere. The film aims to avoid a didactic tone, instead focusing on Vasari's stylistic and content choices. Vasari is best known for his treatise 'Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects' (1550, expanded 1568), a cornerstone for studying over 160 artists. This is the first cinematic portrayal of Vasari, placing him within the post-war tradition of art films. The film emphasizes Vasari's role as a defender of drawing and Florentine form, sometimes criticizing artists like Pintoricchio for excessive ornamentation. Verdone's work seeks to unite spectacle and art, reflecting Vasari's own multifaceted legacy.