A little-known piece of Italian history, but with great repercussions, capable of changing the political balance of our country “L’abbaglio” by Roberto Andòin theaters with 01 Distribution, after the preview at Cannes 2024 and the press premiere which was held in Palermo. Three years after the great success of «The Strangeness», the director from Palermo brings together the protagonists of the previous work (“a winning team”, he defined it), Toni Servillo and the Palermo couple Salvo Ficarra-Valentino Piconeto narrate the incredible story of the Orsini Column, during the Expedition of the Thousand in 1860.
Garibaldi (Tommaso Ragno) was on the verge of retreating due to numerical disparity between his troops and the Bourbon army, when he had the idea of entrusting Colonel Vincenzo Giordano Orsini (Servillo) with the task of setting up a column of wounded with a small group of soldiers, to divert the enemy to another front and enter Palermo undisturbed. Among the soldiers involved in the enterprise also the historically invented characters of Domenico Tricò (Ficarra), a farmer who emigrated to the North, and Rosario Spitale (Picone), an illusionist, deserters who join Garibaldi to return to their native land.
A film between drama and laughter, which recalls the great Italian comedy, in which two professionals from Messina also took part: the costume designer Mara Rita Barbera, awarded for her work in «The Strangeness» with the David di Donatello 2023, and the actor and director Daniele Gonciaruk, already directed by Andò in the miniseries on Letizia Battaglia «Only for passion», broadcast on Rai1. in «The Dazzle» Gonciaruk plays Nino BixioGaribaldi’s right-hand man and future Senator of the Kingdom of Italy. A fundamental special participation in the narrative fresco desired by the director.
«Each of the characters, in particular Bixio, deserves a separate film – Gonciaruk tells us when speaking about the film, for which there was great anticipation on the part of the public –. He is an incredible man like Garibaldi for his particularly adventurous life, but also cumbersome and somewhat controversial in the matter of the Expedition of the Thousand; therefore he deliberately remains in the background together with the other historically important characters, due to a very specific directorial choice. The focus of the narrative is in fact the history of the column, to lead us to reflect on what really changed after the Expedition of the Thousand and understand the great sacrifice to unify Italy, a necessary and inevitable event at the time.”
The work of Andò and the entire crew was serious and particularly meticulous. «The journey of “L’abbaglio” lasted several months – continues the actor from Messina –. A long, significant and at times very challenging journey. We actors started by reading the script as a group to get an idea of what we were going to do and to confirm Andò himself on the choices relating to casting. Reading and trying with others was a fundamental element to better insert ourselves into the story and the project. We also took riding lessons to understand not only the roles, but also the environment and era of the story.”
And regarding the way in which Andò’s actors were directed, Gonciaruk tells a very significant detail: «For the interpretation of a line, Roberto asked me to use an unusual timbral register for cinema, more typical of theatre. I appreciated this request of yours, because today at the cinema we often tend to whisper a lot and stamp little. His experience in the theater proved useful, and the choice to bring it to the cinema, in my opinion, makes an actor much more visible and understandable.”
The same meticulous attention is also paid to the stage costumes, designed by Maria Rita Barbera from Messina. «She is an extraordinary professional – says Gonciaruk –. When we tried on the costumes I appreciated the great attention to every detail, to how a jacket fits, to the thoughtful choice of a scarf or any accessory. A precision that then becomes part of the entire value of a film.”
Filmed between Palermo, Bellolampo, Trapani and Erice, produced by Angelo Barbagallo and Attilio De Razza, «L’abbaglio» is a production of the Palermo-based Tramp Limited and Bibi Film with Rai Cinema and Medusa Film, in collaboration with Netflix.