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A Special Day
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Main page A Special Day (Italian: Una giornata particolare) is a 1977 Italian drama film directed by Ettore Scola and starring Sophia Loren, Marcello
A Special Day
Contents Mastroianni and John Vernon. Set in Rome in 1938, its narrative follows a woman and her neighbor who stay home the day Adolf Hitler visits
Current events Benito Mussolini. It is an Italian-Canadian co-production.
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About Wikipedia Themes addressed in the film include gender roles, fascism, and the persecution of homosexuals under the Mussolini regime. It received
Contact us several nominations and awards, including a César Award for Best Foreign Film, a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and two
Donate Academy Award nominations in 1978. It is featured on the list of the 100 Italian films to be saved.

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Help 1 Plot
Learn to edit 2 Cast
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3 Themes
Recent changes
4 Production
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5 Release
Tools 6 Reception
What links here 6.1 Critical reception
Related changes 6.2 Accolades Film poster
Special pages 7 Adaptations Directed by Ettore Scola
Permanent link 8 See also
Written by Ruggero Maccari
Page information
9 References Ettore Scola
Cite this page
9.1 Bibliography Maurizio Costanzo
Wikidata item
10 External links Produced by Carlo Ponti
Print/export Starring Sophia Loren
Download as PDF Marcello Mastroianni
Printable version
Plot [ edit ] John Vernon
Françoise Berd
On May 4, 1938, the day Hitler visits Mussolini in Rome, Antonietta, a naïve, sentimental
Languages Cinematography Pasqualino De Santis
and overworked homemaker, stays home doing her usual domestic tasks, while her
বাংলা Edited by Raimondo Crociani
fascist husband, Emanuele, and their six spoiled children take to the streets to follow a
Català Music by Armando Trovajoli
parade. The building is empty, except for the caretaker and a neighbor across the
Deutsch
Production Compagnia
Español complex, a charming man named Gabriele. He is a radio broadcaster who has been
companies Cinematografica Champion
Français dismissed from his job and is about to be deported to Sardinia because of his
Canafox Films
Bahasa Indonesia homosexuality and alleged anti-fascist stance. After the family's myna escapes from their
Distributed by Gold Film
Italiano apartment and flies outside Gabriele's window, Antonietta shows up at his door, asking to
Português Release date 17 May 1977 (Cannes)
Gabriele (Mastroianni) and Antonietta (Loren) in her be let in to reach the bird. Gabriele has been interrupted from attempting suicide, but
Русский 12 August 1977 (Italy)
living room helps rescue the myna by offering it food, and is amused by the episode. Antonietta is
Running time 106 minutes
18 more surprised by his demeanor and, unaware of his sexual orientation, flirts and dances the
Countries Italy
Edit links rumba with him. Canada

Despite their differences, they warm to each other. The caretaker warns Antonietta that Gabriele is an anti-fascist, which Antonietta finds Language Italian
despicable. Gabriele eventually opens up, confessing he was fired because he is a homosexual. Antonietta confides in him her troubles with
her arrogant and unfaithful husband; who, she says, has shown a preference for an educated woman. Throughout their interaction and conversation, each realize that the other is oppressed
by social and governmental conditioning and come to form a new impression than the one they first drew from one another. As a result, they have sex, but for different reasons. Gabriele
explains that this changes nothing; as does Antonietta. (However, later, when her son reminds his mother of all the newspaper clippings she will have from the parade for her album
collection, Antonietta's face reveals a look of slight indifference.) Soon after their intimate encounter, Antonietta's family comes back home and Gabriele is arrested. At the end, Antonietta
sits near the window and starts reading a book Gabriele has given to her (The Three Musketeers). She watches as her lover leaves the complex, escorted by fascist policemen, before
turning off the light and retiring to bed: Her husband is waiting there for her in order to beget their seventh child, whom he wants to name Adolfo.

Cast [ edit ]

Sophia Loren – Antonietta Patrizia Basso – Romana Vittorio Guerrieri – Umberto

Marcello Mastroianni – Gabriele Tiziano De Persio – Arnaldo Alessandra Mussolini – Maria Luisa
John Vernon – Emanuele, Antonietta's husband Maurizio Di Paolantonio – Fabio Nicole Magny – Officer's Daughter
Françoise Berd – Caretaker (Pauletta) Antonio Garibaldi – Littorio

Themes [ edit ]

Much of the film's themes revolve around gender roles and the model of masculinity under fascist Italy. Antonietta is the donna madre, a mother figure who meets her feminine
responsibilities in the regime by having six children, boasting one more will secure her the government bonus established for large families in 1933.[1] The Fascist regime equates
homosexuality with depopulation, and thus, Gabriele is suspected of treason.[2] The bachelor tax of 1926 was a measure against this, and Gabriele has to pay it.[3] While the stay-at-home
mother and homosexual neighbor would seem to be an improbable pairing, both are minimized by the regime, and find comfort and some sympathy in each other.[4] At the end of the film,
domestic life will continue as usual, but "inner resistance" to Fascism has been awakened.[5]

Production [ edit ]

Maurizio Costanzo, Ruggero Maccari and Ettore Scola wrote the screenplay, after Maccari had learned about an incident in Fascist Italy in which homosexuals
were arrested and taken to Sardinia. Particularly, the story of broadcaster Nunzio Filogamo was an inspiration to the story, as Filogamo always had to carry a
certificate stating he was not homosexual.[6]

The actors selected for the roles defied type casting, as Marcello Mastroianni was often seen in previous roles as "the prototype of the Italian Latin lover," and
Sophia Loren was perceived as a sexy Italian celebrity.[4] Along with Il bell'Antonio and I Don't Want to Talk About It, this is one of Mastroianni's roles critiquing
the Italian masculine figure as the incompetent character falling behind an evolving society.[7]

Due to the abundance of news coverage of Hitler's visit to Rome in 1938, the filmmakers had plenty of footage to write a screenplay around.[6] The public Italian broadcaster
service film The Führer's Trip to Italy was especially mined for footage.[5] Faced with a lack of funding from Italian producers, the filmmakers persuaded Nunzio Filogamo was an
investors in Canada to support the project.[8] Canafox, a company based in Montreal, co-produced.[9][10] inspiration for the film.

A number of unusual cinematic techniques are used in this film. A long take scene introduces Antonietta and her family: the camera enters through the kitchen
window and moves into the rooms.[11] Deep focus is utilized in a scene in which the camera is in Antonietta's room with her in the frame, and through a distant window Gabriele can
simultaneously be seen moving in his house in the same frame.[12] In post production cinematic color grading was applied to the film to give it muted sepia tones throughout.

Release [ edit ]

The film screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1977.[13] It also played in New York City in September 1977.[14]

After a restoration by Cineteca Nazionale di Roma and Surf Film, the film was placed in the Venice Classics section in the 2014 Venice Film Festival.[15] In Region 1, The Criterion Collection
released the film on Blu-ray on 13 October 2015.[16]

Reception [ edit ]

Critical reception [ edit ]

The film received praise from critics in Italy and throughout Europe on its release.[6] Vincent Canby, writing for The New York Times, appreciated the film's humor and humanity.[14] The New
York review states that while the celebrity of Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni would draw audiences in, they were too glamorous to play their characters, and thus, the film did not
work.[17]

In 2008, it was featured on the list of the 100 Italian films to be saved, chosen by a jury of film experts for preservation.[18] In 2015, The Hollywood Reporter critic Deborah Young praised it
as "one of the most telling films ever made about Italian Fascism," which "suggests a path that cuts through mass-think ideologies, one that anyone can follow with a little human solidarity
and courage."[5] Writing for the LGBT-oriented Out, Armond White said the film demonstrated empathy before falling into the mawkish, and Mastroianni was great.[19] Mike D'Angelo of The
A.V. Club gave it a B-, saying the film became more powerful through its runtime, although there is less of a story. D'Angelo felt it was positive the sex between the protagonists is not
claimed to convert Gabriele to heterosexuality.[16]

Accolades [ edit ]

The film competed for the Palme d'Or in the 1977 Cannes Film Festival, and while its bid was supported by a few festival co-ordinators, juror Roberto Rossellini successfully lobbied for
Padre Padrone instead.[13] At the 2014 Venice Film Festival, it won the award for Best Restored Film.[20]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)

Best Actor Marcello Mastroianni Nominated

Academy Awards 3 April 1978 [21]
Best Foreign Language Film Ettore Scola Nominated
[22]
César Awards 4 February 1978 Best Foreign Film Ettore Scola Won

Best Director Ettore Scola Won

David di Donatello Awards 1978 [8][23]
Best Actress Sophia Loren Won

Best Foreign Language Film A Special Day Won

Golden Globes 28 January 1978 [24]
Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Marcello Mastroianni Nominated

Best Actress Sophia Loren Won

Nastro d'Argento 1978 Best Screenplay Maurizio Costanzo, Ruggero Maccari and Ettore Scola Won [25]

Best Score Armando Trovajoli Won

National Board of Review 19 December 1977 Top Foreign Films A Special Day Won [26]

Adaptations [ edit ]

An English-language stage adaptation, titled Working on a Special Day , had its U.S. Premiere in 2013 in an Off-Broadway production from Por Piedad Teatro and The Play Company.
Mexican theatre artists Ana Graham and Antonio Vega co-directed and performed the roles of Antonietta and Gabriele, respectively.[27]

See also [ edit ]

List of submissions to the 50th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
List of Italian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film

References [ edit ]

1. ^ Reich 2004, p. 133. 13. ^ a b Hoberman, J. (7 April 2016). "Magic Neorealism in 20. ^ Dillard, Clayton (14 October 2015). "A Special Day" .
2. ^ Reich 2004, pp. 133-134. World War's Wake" . The New York Times. Retrieved Slant Magazine. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
3. ^ Reich 2004, p. 134. 31 January 2017. 21. ^ "The 50th Academy Awards (1978) Nominees and
4. ^ a b Ponzanesi 2014. 14. ^ a b Canby, Vincent (26 September 1977). "Miss Loren Winners" . oscars.org. Academy of Motion Picture Arts
5. ^ a b c Young, Deborah (15 October 2015). "A Special Day: and Mastroianni Light Screen as a Team in 'Special and Sciences. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
Small Victories" . The Criterion Collection. Retrieved Day' " . The New York Times. Retrieved 30 January 2017. 22. ^ "Palmares 1978 - 3rd Cesar Award Ceremony" .
30 January 2017. 15. ^ Barraclough, Leo (15 July 2014). " 'Guys and Dolls' Joins Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma. Archived
6. ^ a b c Chansel 2001, p. 91. Venice Classics Line-up" . Variety. Retrieved 30 January from the original on 2014-10-18. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
7. ^ Reich 2008, pp. 49-50. 2017. 23. ^ "Una giornata particolare" . David di Donatello.
8. ^ a b Carotenuto 2009, p. 209. 16. ^ a b D'Angelo, Mike (14 October 2015). "Sophia Loren and Retrieved 30 January 2017.

9. ^ Hawley, Brendan (May 1981). "Co-productions and Marcello Mastroianni play against type in A Special Day" . 24. ^ "A Special Day" . The Hollywood Foreign Press
Canada". Cinema Canada. p. 54. The A.V. Club. Retrieved 31 January 2017. Association. Retrieved 30 January 2017.

10. ^ Dorland, Michael (October 1983). "Canada and 17. ^ Gilbert, Ruth, ed. (31 October 1977). "Movies Around 25. ^ Foster, Gwendolyn Audrey (January 2017). "Two
coproductions: A retrospective (1963-1983)". Cinema Town". New York. p. 18. Ordinary People; One Special Day" . Senses of Cinema.
Canada. p. 19. 18. ^ " 'Ecco i cento film italiani da salvare' e su tutti vincono Retrieved 31 January 2017.

11. ^ Rosa, Miguel (5 January 2012). "A Special Day Fellini e Visconti" . la Repubblica (in Italian). 28 February 26. ^ "1977 Award Winners" . National Board of Review.
(1977)" . Flickfeast. Retrieved 18 February 2017. 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2017.

12. ^ Glasser, Joyce (31 October 2016). "Ettore Scola's 19. ^ White, Armond (5 November 2015). "Marcello, Our 27. ^ Saltz, Rachel (24 January 2013). "The Führer's Visit
seldom-seen masterpiece stars Sophia Loren" . Mature Sexual Ally" . Out. Retrieved 31 January 2017. Can't Suppress This Friendship" . The New York Times.
Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2020.

Bibliography [ edit ]

Carotenuto, Marinella (2009). Sofia Loren: The Quintessence of Being an Italian Woman, Ediz. italiana e inglese. Mediane. ISBN 978-8896042106.
Chansel, Dominique (2001). Europe On-screen: Cinema and the Teaching of History. Council of Europe. ISBN 9287145318.
Ponzanesi, Sandra (1 January 2014). "Queering European Sexualities Through Italy's Fascist Past: Colonialism, Homosexuality, and Masculinities". What's Queer about Europe?:
Productive Encounters and Re-enchanting Paradigms. Fordham University Press. ISBN 978-0823255375.
Reich, Jacqueline (2004). Beyond the Latin Lover: Marcello Mastroianni, Masculinity, and Italian Cinema. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253216443.
Reich, Jacqueline (2008). "Stars, Gender and Nation: Marcello Mastroianni and Italian Masculinity". Screening Genders. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0813543406.

External links [ edit ]

A Special Day at IMDb

A Special Day: Small Victories an essay by Deborah Young at the Criterion Collection

V ·T ·E Films directed by Ettore Scola [show]

Awards for A Special Day [show]

Authority control [show]

Categories: 1977 films Italian-language films 1970s political drama films 1977 LGBT-related films Italian films Italian political drama films Films about anti-fascism
Best Foreign Film César Award winners Best Foreign Language Film Golden Globe winners Films directed by Ettore Scola Films produced by Carlo Ponti
Films with screenplays by Ruggero Maccari Films written by Maurizio Costanzo Films scored by Armando Trovajoli Films set in Rome Films set in 1938
Films about Fascist Italy Films about fascists 1977 drama films Films with screenplays by Ettore Scola

This page was last edited on 19 July 2021, at 15:26 (UTC).

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