Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Alain Delon, the renowned French actor who rose to fame in the 1960s with iconic European films like “Purple Noon” (1960) and “The Leopard “(1963), passed away in August at 88.
Known for his striking good looks and rebellious, aloof characters, Delon is considered one of French cinema’s most enigmatic figures. His characters had a lasting impact on international cinema during a career that spanned half a century.
Delon was sought after by some of the most prolific Italian auteurs, including Luchino Visconti, Michelangelo Antonioni and Valerio Zurlini. The film that launched his Italian career was undoubtedly Visconti’s 1960 drama “Rocco e i suoi fratelli” (“Rocco and His Brothers”). Visconti’s follow-up, the legendary “Il gattopardo” (The Leopard), solidified Delon’s place in 1960s Italian cinema.
As relevant today as it was when it was made nearly 65 years ago, “Rocco and His Brothers” follows a family’s plight as they navigate the rough waters of immigration and the challenges of assimilating into a culture that discriminates against the very land they came from. Inspired by the stories of Milanese writer/playwright Giovanni Testori, Visconti’s film tells the harsh tale of the Parondi family members who left their homeland in the region of Basilicata in search of opportunities in Milan. A brief exchange between the family’s new neighbors reveals the prejudice towards Southerners immigrating to the North.
“Did you see those hicks?”
“Where are they from?”
“Lucania.”
“Odd name! Where’s that?”
“Never heard of it.”
“Down south.”
“I see, the land of deadbeats!”
The film recounts the family’s misery and difficulty as Rosa, the matriarch and mother of four boys, tries to hold her family together, ensuring the best future possible for them. However, the cold reality of life makes that dream seem unattainable. The few moments of joy the family experiences together are spent around the kitchen table. When Rosa breaks bread for her four children, she is reminding them not to break the traditions and roots they have in their warm land of Lucania.
Delon plays the title role, one of two brothers that falls for the same girl. The pent-up anger and passionate scenes between Simone (Renato Salvatori) and Rocco are palpable as the stress of immigrant life and daily struggles takes a toll.
About 10 years ago, the film underwent a massive restoration project, resulting in a glorious 4K release. A collaboration between the Gucci Film Foundation and Martin Scorsese, the project was supervised by Giuseppe Rotunno, the film’s original director of photography and one of the great maestros of cinematography.
The restored version includes several shots that were censored and cut from the original version after the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival in 1960. The restoration was completed in 2015 and shown that year at the Cannes Film Festival with much of the cast in attendance, including Claudia Cardinale and Delon. For a video in which Martin Scorsese talks about the restoration, click here.
“Rocco and His Brothers” is a testament to the legend of Delon and encompasses the intensity and grandeur he brought to his roles. The film is available on several streaming platforms. To view the film, click here.
