Alberto Sordi and His Time: The Villa Sordi, the home-museum of the late Roman actor and director, is currently hosting a curated exhibition by Alessandra Maria Sette called “Alberto Sordi and His Time.” The exhibition, which runs from September 22nd to November 26th, is promoted by the Sordi Foundation and organized in collaboration with Cinecittà, the Archivio Luce, and Rai Teche, with the patronage of Rome Capital. It will pay homage to Sordi’s life and career, as well as his deep connection to Rome and Italy.
Next year, to further honor Sordi, a statue will be placed in the adjacent Villa De Sanctis park near Cinecittà. A competition has already been announced for young artists to design the statue.
The exhibition follows a chronological timeline, starting from post-World War I and Sordi’s birth in Trastevere on June 15, 1920, to his passing on February 24, 2003, and his funeral in the Cathedral of San Giovanni in Laterano. Alongside Sordi’s artistic journey, the exhibition traces the history of Italy, reminiscing on notable moments through photographs and film scenes from his works. Films such as “La Grande Guerra,” “I vitelloni,” “Polvere di stelle,” “Bello, onesto, emigrato…”, “Il medico della mutua,” “Un borghese piccolo piccolo,” “Detenuto in attesa di giudizio,” “Tutti dentro,” “Le vacanze intelligenti,” “In viaggio con papà,” “Il marchese del Grillo,” “Il tassinaro,” and “Nestore ultima corsa” demonstrate Sordi’s ability to capture the essence of twentieth-century Italy, while appealing to a broad audience.
Walter Veltroni, former Deputy Prime Minister and mayor of Rome, and now honorary president of the Sordi Foundation, emphasizes that Villa Sordi should not become a museum but remain a living space where Sordi’s creative spirit can be preserved. He highlights the exhibition’s significant connection between Italian history, cinema, and Sordi’s artistic journey. Sordi’s relationship with Italy and Rome, according to Veltroni, is inseparable. He notes that it was not Sordi who embodied the Roman spirit, but rather the Romans who embraced Sordi’s accent, mannerisms, and expressions.
Miguel Gotor, Councilor for Culture in Rome, emphasizes the importance of maintaining the authenticity of Villa Sordi without turning it into a museum. He believes that Sordi is experiencing a resurgence, thanks to social media posts that introduce him to younger generations who did not have the opportunity to appreciate him during his lifetime. Gotor also suggests the idea of organizing a cinema arena in the piazza in front of Villa Sordi as part of the Roman Summer festivities.
Enzo Bonaiuto
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