Previously, I've posted films animated by the painter, scenic designer and director, Emanuele Luzzati which depicted scenes from the daily life of Mr. Punch’s Italian cousin, “Pulcinella"--this one included.
Still, after a couple of years, I can't help but repost this enchanting film by Luzzati and Giulio Gianini entitled, Pulcinella e il pesce magico (Punch and the Magic Fish).Based on a tale by the Brothers Grimm and retold with Pulcinella as the lead, this adorable film was also translated into a picture book of the same name.
Regular readers will have seen this short film before. I shared this with you in 2010, but I love it so much, I thought that, it was time to bring it out again, especially since this year marks the film's fortieth anniversary (and, at the end of this year, mine, too).
Emanuele Luzzati (1921-2007) was one of the foremost Italian animators of his time. A painter, production designer, and film director, Luzzati was inspired by classical theatrical works and music. His short animated film,Pulcinella, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1973. The film shows a scene of perennial trickster, Pulcinella (Mr. Punch’s Italian predecessor) as he struggles with his wife, gets into a little tangle with the law, and embarks on a wild, Punch-like, fantastical spree. The film is set to the music of Il Turco in Italia by Rossini.
We’ve looked at Emanuele Luzzati’s versions of Pulcinella on previous explorations of the colorful work of the talented artist, director and animator. One of his best known short films was 1978’s The Magic Flute set to the music from Mozart’s two-act opera.
As a stage director, Luzzati had mounted a lavish 1963 full-scale production of the opera and fell in love with the music and the story. His animated The Magic Flute, made fifteen years later, was met with glowing reviews and multiple awards. He followed the completion of the film with a children’s picture book that succinctly retells the story.
We have previously explored the charming artwork of Italian director, scenic designer, painter and animator Emanuele Luzzati with his joyful images of Punch’s Italian cousin, Pulcinella.Luzzati was responsible for many gorgeous animated short films and illustrated books including a multiple award-winning film of “The Magic Flute.”This short video shows a sampling of Luzzati’s beautiful art work set to the music of Mozart.Enjoy!
We turn again to the delightful work of Emanuele Luzzati, the brilliant director, animator, painter, illustrator and designer who brought us many charming books and short films about Mr. Punch’s Italian Cousin, Pulcinella.This 1959 short film by Luzzati shows a version of his Pulcinella character that predates the figure which would later define his interpretation of the loveable scamp.My Italian isn’t very good, so I’m not terribly sure what’s happening here.It almost seems as if these are two films pieced together with a vintage commercial for “Barilla” pasta in the middle.If any of you have better Italian skills than I do (and, at least, I know that the dozens of you reading this from Italy do), I’d love some further insight.
