L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013 www.italoamericano.com 19 Event Highlight of the Month: The art of Bruno Bozzetto Exclusive drawings and other works by the celebrated Italian master animator Bruno Bozzetto will be on display in the Presidio of San Francisco starting today, and will be accessible to the public till next spring. The Walt Disney Family Museum has presented the exhibition Bruno Bozzetto: Animation, Maestro! On view in the museum's Theater Gallery from November 21, 2013 to April 7, 2014, this exhibition, organized by animation historian and critic Federico Fiecconi, spotlights some 60 original pencil animation drawings, cels, and backgrounds from the filmography of the renowned Italian animator, director, producer, and becoming one of the most eclectic and innovative independent animators, directors, and producers in the industry. For almost six decades, working both independently and through his company Bruno Bozzetto Film, he has produced and created animation shorts, commercials, TV series, and four full-length feature films including the iconic West & Soda (1965) and VIP, my Brother Superman (1968). His short films have also earned an Academy Award nomination, a Berlin Golden Bear, and more 100 international than awards. Bozzetto's work represents the perfect link between classic Disney style and a contempo- me as an animator and storyteller. He has created some of the funniest animated films ever made and is one of the most clever storytellers around. Bruno's designs are so appealing and his comic timing is truly unsurpassed," comments John Lasseter, chief creative officer at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Earlier this year, Bozzetto was awarded the highly respected ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d'Animation/International Animated Film Association) prize "for outstanding achievements in the art of animation." The award included an original artwork by Bozzetto's beloved inspiration Tyrus Wong, the art director for Bambi and the inspi- The original poster of Bozzetto's "Allegro non troppo" (1976) ration for his "less is more" approach to animation. The exhibition is aptly timed with Water to Paper, Paint to Sky: The Art of Tyrus Wong currently on view through February 3, 2014 in the museum's Special Exhibition Hall. Bruno Bozzetto: Animation, Maestro! is organized by The Walt Disney Family Museum. The exhibition is designed by the Italian firm Graffiti Media Factory. Get ready for the holidays with Viola's Italian Kitchen Bruno Bozzetto: Animation, Maestro! On view at Walt Disney museum from November 21, 2013 to March 17, 2014 cartoonist Bruno Bozzetto (b. 1938). Most of the featured works come from his most celebrated masterpiece film Allegro non Troppo (1976). Labeled at the time of its U.S. release "a gorgeous send-up of Fantasia," the mixed animation and live action feature film visually interprets six pieces of classical music by Debussy, Dvorak, Ravel, Sibelius, Vivaldi, and Stravinsky. In between the animation at the beginning of the film and the black and white live-action sequences at the end there are displays of the fictional animator, orchestra, conductor, and filmmaker, with many humorous scenes about the production of the film. The classical pieces are set to color animation, ranging from comedy to drama. Each of Allegro non Troppo's episodes shows a different production style, resulting in a truly artistic, brilliantly animated tour de force. An explicit homage to Disney's Fantasia, Allegro non Troppo represents a high point in the history of animation. The film garnered worldwide acclaim and was praised by Disney Legend Ward Kimball, who called it one of his "favorite animated films of all time." Inspired by classic Disney films including Fantasia (1940) and Bambi (1942), Bozzetto debuted in 1953 at the age of 15 with a Donald Duck-themed short. He quickly developed his own distinctive personal style, rary, modern approach to animation focused on storytelling, character development, brilliant design, and humor. "Bruno Bozzetto's films have been one of the greatest inspirations for Viola Buitoni's monthly classes on the traditions and trends of Italian cooking, held in the private kitchen of San Francisco's Italian Consulate, will end on Wednesday 4 December, 2013, with "La cucina delle feste", Italian holiday cooking, getting primed to dazzle family and friends with an Italian holiday table. In these intimate hands-on workshops, students are guided to easily integrate Italian regional cuisine and seasonal ingredients into everyday, uncomplicat- Dec. 6, Fri. - UN.IT (UNESCO Italia) exhibition. Italy's UNESCO World Heritage sites through the lens of acclaimed photographers. On view Friday, December 06, 2013 - Friday, January 24, 2014 Info at http://museoitaloamericano.org/exhibits-collections/un-it-unescoitalia/ or call (415) 673-2200 Dec. 8, Sun. - Social World Film Festival, New short films from Italy. Four short films by young Italian directors. The patroness of this festival is the actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta, who became a household name after her performance in the film Il Postino. Info at Italian Cultural Institute (415) 788-7142 Dec. 9, Mon. - Alessandro Martire: Melodia di Vita. Original compositions for piano and pieces by Verdi. The young Italian pianist and composer Alessandro Martire will play some of his own compositions from his debut album Melodia di Vita as well as a medley of pieces by Verdi in homage to his bicentennial year. Info at Italian Cultural Institute (415) 7887142 Dec. 10, Tues. - Italian sparkles for the holiday table, With food specialist Viola Buitoni and sommelier Elisabetta Fagioli. Join a conversation and tasting between our own food specialist Viola Buitoni and sommelier Elisabetta Fagioli for a sampling of specialities from the holiday tables of Italy and niche regional sparkling wines. Info at Italian Cultural Institute (415) 788-7142 Dec. 12, Thurs. - Magie dell'Italia. A cinematic voyage through the UNESCO sites of Italy. A companion to the UN.IT exhibition showing from 6 December to 24 January at the Museo Italoamericano. Info at Italian Cultural Institute (415) 7887142 ed, flavorful cooking for family and friends. To register, email viola@violabuitoni.com . Following this lesson, the culinary event "Italian sparkles for the holiday table" will be hosted by the Italian Cultural Institute next Tuesday, December 10. This is a conversation and tasting between two food specialist Viola Buitoni and sommelier Elisabetta Fagioli for a sampling of specialities from the holiday tables of Italy and niche regional sparkling wines. The two hostesses will chat on the hows and whys of Christmas food traditions and trends in the regional areas of Italy and pair each of three chosen dishes with unusual, small production bubbly wines. Wednesday, December 4, 2013: La cucina delle festeItalian holiday cooking. (Italian Consulate, 2590 Webster Street, San Francisco) Tuesday, December 10, 2013: Italian sparkles for the holiday table (Italian Cultural Institute, 418 Montgomery street, San Francisco)

• Cover