L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 C inema is imagi- nation, illusion, s t o r i e s t h a t sweep us away. Fairy tales and characters that leave a lasting m a r k o n o u r m i n d s a n d become part of our collective i m a g i n a t i o n . T h o u g h b o r n from fantasy, they slip into our real lives, like Pinocchio and Cinderella, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid: they don't exist, yet they feel so familiar that not only children dress up as them at Carnevale. Many of us like to believe they're out there somewhere, speaking to From Rambaldi's genius to Superman's cape, sketched in Lecce From the Editor one another and living out a thousand adventures, even if they're just cartoons or characters from a book. One of the giants of the silver screen, Carlo Rambaldi, the creator of E.T., wasn't just a master of special effects. He built a creature that gave shape and substance to the human longing to connect with the unknown. That puppet – "ugly but innocent," just as Spielberg wanted – gave form to the kind of alien we all hope exists: fundamentally good, gentle, curious. What stands out most about E.T. is his face, that deeply expressive look, born of Rambaldi's relentless pursuit of emotion in a mechanical figure operated by twelve people using servomotors. Anyone who has seen the film remem- bers those eyes – made with help from specialists at the Jules Stein Eye Institute in Westwood – not just for their realism, but because eyes are how we connect with others. They're how we meet the unfamiliar. They're how we recog- nize what's different and begin to relate to it. Of course, Rambaldi's career extended far beyond E.T., but this iconic figure reveals the beauty, skill, and artistry behind the fantasy characters that Hollywood turned into global cultural landmarks. His pioneering use of mechatron- ics – a technology in its infancy at the time – marked a bold step forward in cinema and helped transform the industry. A similar story lies behind the latest film from James Gunn, just released in theaters and unveiled on the Los Angeles red carpet. The 2025 version of Superman (aka Clark Kent) is more than just a new script or cutting-edge effects: as this superhero with alien powers becomes more human, less invincible, and more vulnerable – that is, more like us – we learn that his updated look includes a proudly Italian touch. The costume designer behind the new Super- man is Christian Cordella, an artist from Lecce, who spent six months refining the unmistakable outfit the 1938-born character, with its legendary red cape, sky-blue bodysuit, and iconic red briefs. Cordella's sketches and on-set costumes combine crafts- manship, style, and attention to detail. The aim wasn't to break with tradition but to give it a modern edge: keeping everything audiences expect from Superman while offering something fresh. In a recent interview with La Repubblica, Cordella said: "The place we come from shapes who we are. I grew up in a land of sun, sea, and light, and I brought that into my vision. The vibrant red of the cape, the yellow of the belt… those colors feel alive to me. They're in my bones. Yes, this Superman wears the colors of Puglia." Watching the film, you might not immediately notice the subtle details of his look, swept up as you may be in the story and the special effects. But as Rambaldi taught us, behind icons like King Kong, Alien, or E.T., there's an immense amount of work that draws on identity, creativity, and crafts- manship. Cordella brought Italian style and imagination to a pop culture classic – and to a slice of Italian fashion. And the thought that even Superman now "dresses Ital- ian"? That's a reason to be proud. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2025 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114

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