Pulcinella in celluloide : suggestioni di cinema italiano dal dopoguerra a oggi

Abstract

For centuries, the mask of Pulcinella has been deeply rooted in culture. It was thus inevitable that it would make its way to the contemporary cinema. This essay reconstructs some of the famous Neapolitan mask’s most relevant cinematic transpositions, shedding light, moreover, on the character’s evolution, from its theatrical codification to the principal authors and actors. These remarks will emphasize the folk roots of the character as well as its connection with the history of Naples and, more generally, of Italy. Of particular importance is the power that Pulcinella, the iconographic symbol of napoletanità, has always been able to exercise in the realm of media.

Keywords

• Italian cinema
• Commedia dell’Arte
• De Filippo (Eduardo)
• Scarpetta (Eduardo)
• magical realism
• Totò