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IFI Press Release: November 4th 2015
Award-winning Italian filmmaker, Francesco Clerici will take part in a Q&A following the exclusive opening night screening of his latest documentary Hand Gestures, on November 24th at 18.30.
In a foundry in Milan, a bronze sculpture is created. Francesco Clerici’s transfixing film shadows the craftsmen as they shape, knead, model, mix, repair, sand and polish, the final form of the piece tantalisingly coming into focus in what feels like real time. The technique they use is known as lost-wax casting, and it dates to prehistory – Clerici acknowledges the longevity of the tradition by interspersing archival footage of a similar casting, filmed at the same Milanese foundry decades ago. We have grown accustomed to documentaries that tell us what to think and feel, but Clerici wisely eschews voiceover or other such descriptive devices, favouring an observational approach that draws the viewer into the world of the sculptors; watching Hand Gestures, one feels as though we are participating in the creation of a work of art.
About Francesco Clerici (born Milan, 1983)
Francesco Clerici earned a Master’s Degree in Art History and Criticism from the University of Milan. Since 2003 he has taught film language, presented a film club and led filmmaking workshops for children, and worked for the Barz and Hippo society as an Education and Film Forum Co-ordinator. Francesco is also a writer and the project manager for the artist Velasco Vitali. For Vitali’s last exhibition catalogue, Foresta Rossa: 416 città fantasma nel mondo(Skirà, 2013) he published a series of short novels Città Fantasma (Ghost Cities). Since 2009 Francesco has collaborated with CICAE (International Federation of Arthouse Cinemas), documenting and developing training for exhibitors in Venice each year. His 2011 short film Storie nel Cemento (Cement Stories) won the of the FAI -Italian Artistic Foundation- prize at the Milano Film Festival and was selected for various documentary film festivals. He’s published multiple articles and essays on cinema and art in various Italian magazines and journals. In 2012 he published his first book, 24 Fotogrammi: storia aneddotica del cinema (24 Frames: the Anecdotal History of Cinema) . 24 short stories on cinema. His 2011 short film Storie nel Cemento (Cement Stories) won the FAI- Italian Artistic Foundation prize at the Milano Film Festival and was selected for various documentary film festivals.
Tickets for this screening + Q&A are available now from the IFI Box Office on 01 679 3477 or online at www.ifi.ie. Tickets for the film’s IFI release from November 24th will be available from Monday 24th November.
For interview requests with Francesco Clerici, images and further details please Michelle McDonagh at the IFI Press Office on 01 679 5744 or email mmcdonagh@irishfilm.ie.
The IFI acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council.
ALL YOU NEED IS DEATH 15:40, 20:45
KIDNAPPED 13:00, 18:00
PERFECT DAYS 12:50
THAT THEY MAY FACE THE RISING SUN 13:00, 15:20, 18:10, 20:50
THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE 15:50, 20:30
The IFI is supported by The Arts Council
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