‘An orgiastic pandemonium’: Elvira Notari, the ‘low-life cinema’ pioneer erased by fascism
Italy’s first female director made 60 features depicting the gritty squalor of early 20th-century Naples. Most were lost to Mussolini’s censorship and she died in obscurity – but now a new documentary gives her a voice again The seething Neapolitan melodrama È piccerella (1922), written and directed by Elvira Notari, follows the fraught relationship between the manipulative Margaretella and her morbidly besotted suitor, Tore, who steals from his elderly mother to buy expensive gifts for his reluctant inamorata, despite her roving eye. The movie opens with documentary shots of middle-class pilgrims, including Margaretella and her shabbily genteel mother, arriving in carriages and cars at Naples’s Candelora festival – an “orgiastic pandemonium of Bacchantes,” notes an intertitle. Challenging the camera’s gaze as much as the smouldering femme fatale, an obese drinker quaffs exultantly from a pint glass of wine; in another scene, an unshaven little pauper gleefully drops his jaw to display his two remaining teeth. Continue reading...
In the shadow of Mussolini’s fascist regime, Italy’s first female director, Elvira Notari, carved a niche for herself in the world of cinema with her gritty portrayals of early 20th-century Naples. Despite creating over 60 films, most of her work was erased from history by the oppressive censorship of the time, leaving her to die in obscurity. However, a recent documentary has finally given Notari the recognition she deserves, unearthing her powerful voice and reintroducing her groundbreaking films to a new generation.
Elvira Notari was born in Naples in 1875, a time when the city was a melting pot of social classes and cultural influences. Her films, many of which were written and directed by her, often depicted the raw, unvarnished realities of life in Naples, from the opulent mansions of the wealthy to the squalid alleyways of the poor. One of her most notable works, the 1922 melodrama È piccerella, follows the complex relationship between Margaretella, a manipulative woman, and Tore, a suitor who is obsessed with her. Tore resorts to stealing from his elderly mother to buy extravagant gifts for Margaretella, who remains unimpressed by his devotion and continues to pursue other men.
The film opens with striking documentary-style shots of middle-class pilgrims arriving at Naples’s Candelora festival, a vibrant and chaotic event that Notari captures with unflinching honesty. The intertitle describes the festival as an “orgiastic pandemonium of Bacchantes,” reflecting the frenzied energy and sensuality that permeate the film. Notari challenges the camera’s gaze as much as she does her characters, inviting viewers to confront the harsh realities of life in Naples. In one scene, an obese drinker exultantly quaffs from a pint glass of wine, while in another, an unshaven little pauper gleefully displays his two remaining teeth. These candid moments serve as a stark reminder of the city’s diverse and often troubling social landscape.
Notari’s films were not just social commentaries; they were also pioneering efforts in Italian cinema. Her ability to blend documentary-style footage with narrative storytelling was groundbreaking at the time, and her portrayal of strong, complex female characters challenged the gender norms of her era. Despite her talent and vision, Notari’s career was cut short by Mussolini’s fascist regime, which imposed strict censorship on the film industry. Many of her films were banned or destroyed, and she was forced to retreat into obscurity.
It was not until recently that Notari’s work began to receive the recognition it deserves. A new documentary, “Elvira Notari: The Forgotten Filmmaker,” has been meticulously piecing together the fragments of her lost legacy, unearthing rare film clips and interviews with historians and film enthusiasts. The documentary not only highlights Notari’s artistic vision but also sheds light on the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
The resurgence of interest in Notari’s work is a testament to her enduring impact on Italian cinema. Her films, though often overlooked during her lifetime, continue to resonate with audiences today, offering a unique glimpse into the socio-cultural landscape of early 20th-century Naples. By reintroducing Notari’s work to a new generation, the documentary has not only restored her reputation as a pioneering figure in Italian cinema but has also opened the door to a deeper understanding of the era in which she lived and worked.
Elvira Notari’s story is a poignant reminder of the power of art to challenge and transform society. Despite the attempts of Mussolini’s regime to erase her from history, Notari’s films have survived, and her voice has been rediscovered. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to future generations of filmmakers, particularly women, who continue to push the boundaries of storytelling and challenge the status quo. In the end, Notari’s contribution to cinema is a testament to the enduring power of art to transcend time and adversity.
