Thursday, July 5, 2012

"The Missing Piece" Private Film Screening with Filmmaker, Joe Medeiros

You're cordially invited to a private film screening of...  

The Missing Piece: 
The Truth About the Man Who Stole the Mona Lisa
 

Genre: Documentary 
Director: Joe Medeiros (in attendance for Q&A) 
Duration: 86 min. 
In English, Italian and French with English subtitles. 

Film Synopsis: This is the story of the man who stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in 1911, his 84-year-old daughter who thought he did it for patriotic reasons, and the filmmaker who spent more than 30 years trying to find the truth for himself, and now for her.

For 17 years, Joe Medeiros was head writer for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. But for twice that long he’s been preoccupied with the Mona Lisa heist. For the last several years he and his wife Justine have been working together on a documentary which they’re calling The Missing Piece. We know that the thief was an Italian laborer, Vincenzo Peruggia, who had worked at the Louvre. What we don’t know is if he had accomplices or if he stole the painting at the direction of anyone else, though at his trial, where he was convicted, he insisted that he did it alone. But the Medeiroses tracked down Peruggia’s descendants in Italy, found the Paris apartment where he stashed the painting for years and turned up some new correspondence which they believe fills in the blanks.

A contribution of $15.00 per person provides an opportunity to:
  • meet the filmmakers Joe Medeiros, his wife Justine and some members of the film cast and crew;
  • enjoy a Q&A session with the filmmakers; 
  • enjoy a wonderful post-film reception with food prepared by Chef Vincenzo D'arista.  The menu will include pasta al forno, insalata di carote, and tiramisu al limoncello; 
  • meet a lot of nice people! 

We look forward to you joining us for a truly exceptional evening! Spread the word, and invite your friends!

Spread the word, and invite your friends! RSVP required. Click here to RSVP.

Cineforum Italiano: Vallanzasca, Angels of Evil

Director Michele Placido and actor Kim Rossi Stuart team up to tell the tale of notorious Italian outlaw Renato Vallanzasca, whose penchant for bold crimes, daring prison breaks, and extravagant showmanship transformed him into an underworld celebrity in the 1970s. Vallanzasca was just nine years old when he and a group of mischievous friends snuck into a local circus to free a tiger, but that fateful day marked the beginning of a spectacular criminal career. Subsequently sent to a juvenile detention facility, Vallanzasca soon rounded up a gang comprised of familiar deviants upon his release, and quickly rose through the ranks of Italy's criminal elite. With the stunning Consuelo (Valeria Solarino) by Vallanzasca's side, not even San Vittore can hold the slippery desperado. And though Vallanzasca's gang would live the high life for a while, the impulsive leader would ultimately seal his own fate when he ruthlessly killed two policemen in a Dalmine tool booth. Having made a sworn enemy out of rival gangster Francis Turatello (Francesco Scianna), Vallanzasca strives to end the rivalry after being incarcerated in Rebibbia Prison. In and out of prison in the decades that followed, Vallanzasca found his life as a fugitive drawing to a close after reconnecting with his old friend Antonella D'Agostino (Paz Vega), whom he would later wed in a civil ceremony.
Genre: Drama
Director: Michele Placido
Released: 2010
Duration: 125 min.
In Italian with English subtitles.
Event Schedule:
  • 5:00 pm: Sign in, enjoy complimentary beverages and snacks during the film.
  • 5:15 pm: Program begins with introductions and film
  • 7:15 pm: The film will be followed by small reception with gelato which provides an opportunity to socialize and discuss the film.
Tickets:
  • $10 for members of Passatempo. Click to RSVP.
  • $15 for non-members (cash only, no credit/debit card processing)
Trailer:


Film Reviews:
Getting to Letelier Theater: Street parking is free on Sundays. There's also a parking garage available directly next to the theater on Prospect Street for $5/hr. There are several public transportation options. The theater website describes the options in detail: http://leteliertheater.com/directions/