New Italian Cinema
- A new film, The Colors of the Storm, presented at the BIF & St film festival, tells the story of Pasquale rotondi, a superintendent who saved approximately 10,000...
- In 1939, the Minister of Education tasked Rotondi with hiding important artworks in Montefeltro to protect them from German bombings and raids.
- The director said the inspiration came from the question: Who saved Italian cultural heritage during the Second World War?
The Colors of the Storm: History of Italian “Monuments Men”
Table of Contents
- The Colors of the Storm: History of Italian “Monuments Men”
- The Colors of the Storm: Saving Italian Art During WWII
- Q&A: Unveiling the Heroes of Italian Art During WWII
- Who was Pasquale Rotondi?
- What prompted the creation of the film “the Colors of the Storm”?
- What works of art did Rotondi save?
- Why was “The Storm” so crucial?
- Where were the artworks hidden?
- What challenges did Rotondi face?
- Why is Rotondi’s story not widely known?
- How was the actor chosen to play Rotondi?
- What is the film’s relevance to today?
- What is the future of the film?
- Key Figures and Works
- Q&A: Unveiling the Heroes of Italian Art During WWII
march 25, 2025
A new film, The Colors of the Storm,
presented at the BIF & St film festival, tells the story of Pasquale rotondi, a superintendent who saved approximately 10,000 works of art during World War II. These works included Giorgione’s enigmatic The Storm
and Caravaggio’s The Supper at emmaus.
In 1939, the Minister of Education tasked Rotondi with hiding important artworks in Montefeltro to protect them from German bombings and raids. The director of The Colors of the Storm
discussed the story behind the film.
Discovering the story
The director said the inspiration came from the question: Who saved Italian cultural heritage during the Second World War?
The director noted the secrecy and careful handling required to protect the artworks.
rotondi’s Obscurity
When asked why Rotondi’s contributions were not widely known, the director suggested it wasn’t due to early collaboration with the fascist regime. Everyone had the fascist party card,or else they could not have been working for the state. Even the critic and art historian Giulio Carlo argan did it.
The director explained that the key moment came after Sept. 8, when individuals had to choose between siding with the fascists or protecting Italian heritage. Rotondi chose the latter.
The director emphasized, We owe
Giorgione’s The Storm
at the Academy of Venice to them.
The Importance of “The Storm”
The director explained the central role of The Storm
in the film: I followed the one who wrote Rotondi in his diary,for him among all the works he had in custody,Titian,Caravaggio,the most suggestive and incredible was
the storm
,as Giorgione was more mysterious.
The director added that Giorgione’s technique, Veneto tonalism, influenced later painters, including Monet and van Gogh. The color gives me the shape
is a revolution in art, and this Rotondi knew it.
Relevance to Today
The director hopes the film resonates with young audiences: It is aimed at a young audience, passing on this idea that I can die for a painting is beautiful, and I want to convey it, because I want others to know that there are people who have lived with these ideals.
Casting Pasquale Rotondi
the director described the casting process: He is a cumbersome character to stage, I made several auditions and I chose Simone, who did not make Pasquale Rotondi, Simone was Rotondi.
The director also mentioned introducing the actor to Rotondi’s daughter. we went with Genoa to meet Pasquale’s daughter,Giovanna,I presented her
Her parents
,Simone and lia Grieco,who plays Zea Bernardini,Rotondi’s wife,were very excited. But I’m happy with the whole cast.
Future Distribution
Regarding the film’s future, the director stated: We wait to find a distributor, we hope soon because this film deserves visibility because it is an incredible story, we did not do it
as a recipe
to try to have this project, it was random, we did it at very low cost, we shot it in 4 weeks, but we did a miracle.
The Colors of the Storm: Saving Italian Art During WWII
March 25, 2025
Q&A: Unveiling the Heroes of Italian Art During WWII
A new film, The Colors of the Storm,
presented at the BIF & st film festival, sheds light on a crucial chapter in art history. this Q&A explores the story of Pasquale Rotondi, a superintendent who played a pivotal role in preserving Italian cultural heritage during World War II, and the film that brings his story to life.
Who was Pasquale Rotondi?
Pasquale Rotondi was a superintendent tasked with protecting italian artworks during World War II. He saved approximately 10,000 works of art from potential destruction during the conflict.
What prompted the creation of the film “the Colors of the Storm”?
The film’s director was inspired by the search to answer a basic question: Who saved Italian cultural heritage during the Second World War?
What works of art did Rotondi save?
Rotondi was responsible for safeguarding numerous notable artworks. Two of the most notable pieces he protected were Giorgione’s enigmatic The Storm
and Caravaggio’s The Supper at Emmaus.
Why was “The Storm” so crucial?
The Storm
held a central role in Rotondi’s efforts.The director noted it to be “the most suggestive and unbelievable” among the works in Rotondi’s custody. Giorgione’s innovative technique, Venetian tonalism, influenced later artists like Monet and van Gogh. As the director stated, the color gives me the shape is a revolution in art, and this Rotondi knew it.
In 1939, the Minister of Education tasked Rotondi with hiding critically important artworks in Montefeltro to protect them from German bombings and raids.
What challenges did Rotondi face?
The director discussed the secrecy and careful handling required to protect the artworks, highlighting the difficulties of the time.
Why is Rotondi’s story not widely known?
When asked why Rotondi’s contributions were not widely known, the director suggested it wasn’t due to early collaboration with the fascist regime. The director explained that the key moment came after September 8, when individuals had to choose between siding with the fascists or protecting Italian heritage. Rotondi chose the latter.
How was the actor chosen to play Rotondi?
The director described the casting process, he made several auditions and chose Simone. The director also mentioned introducing the actor to Rotondi’s daughter.
What is the film’s relevance to today?
The director hopes the film resonates with young audiences,conveying the idea that,I can die for a painting is beautiful,and I want to convey it,as I want others to know that there are people who have lived with these ideals.
What is the future of the film?
Regarding the film’s future, the director stated: We wait to find a distributor, we hope soon because this film deserves visibility because it is an incredible story.
Key Figures and Works
| Figure | Role | Key Work(s) Protected |
|---|---|---|
| Pasquale Rotondi | Superintendent | Giorgione’s “The Storm,” Caravaggio’s “The Supper at Emmaus” |