“This Is Unprecedented”: Documentary Filmmakers Scramble To Deal With Coronavirus Impact
Deadline, March 20, 2020
Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Laura Nix was supposed to board a flight to Copenhagen today, en route to the CPH:DOX festival to pitch her latest project. But the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly forced that event to shift online only, one of countless ways the coronavirus emergency is impacting the documentary space.
Nix tells Deadline, “I was working on that pitch, honestly, preparing to give it and then that all went upside down.”
Doc makers, most of whom are based in California or New York—two states now under lockdown—are scrambling to keep projects, and careers, going under dramatically altered circumstances. Nix had to cancel an upcoming shoot for a film on photography and visual memory, but she’s making progress on other fronts where possible.
Inside Milan’s Opulent Retirement Home for Musicians by Sally McGraneNew York Times, April 11, 2018
MILAN — There was a buzz as some two dozen concertgoers in silk scarves and sparkling jewels arrived with the help of wheelchairs, walkers and canes, and took their seats in the ornate, hardwood-floor concert hall of Milan’s Rest Home for Musicians, known as Casa Verdi, which is run by the Giuseppe Verdi Foundation.
A hush fell, as two musicians in evening dress took up their positions behind two golden harps. The room filled with shimmering music by Debussy. The audience was rapt.
“Bravo,” murmured Luisa Mandelli, a soprano who sang with Maria Callas at La Scala in Milan. Then she cocked her head in dismay: Two seats away, a nattily-dressed tenor in a black suit and tie had begun snoring gently. “He’s 98,” whispered Ms. Mandelli, who is 95. She leaned over and slapped her former colleague’s knee.
Ms. Mandelli is one of 60 older musicians living in Casa Verdi, a sumptuous neo-Gothic mansion built in central Milan by Verdi. Completed in 1899, the building was created as a sanctuary for musicians who found themselves poverty-stricken in old age, “Old singers not favored by fortune, or who, when they were young, did not possess the virtue of saving,” as Verdi wrote in a letter at the time…A 96-year-old violinist in bright pink lipstick and golden slippers nodded when the men asked if it was time for lunch. They stood, and made their way to the airy dining room. A few minutes later, they were joined by Beatriz Cortesão, 19, a harpist, who was wearing jeans. Ms. Cortesão is part of a relatively new tradition: In 1998, Casa Verdi decided to try renting rooms to music students.
While some of the old musicians were wary, the experiment turned out to be a success, and today, 16 students live in Casa Verdi. They are charged a low rent, and they join the older musicians at mealtimes. Old and young agreed that the arrangement was a good one: Younger musicians learned from the older ones, while the older musicians said they were happy to have young people who shared their love of music around.
Cosimo Moretti de Angelis, 25, another student who lives at Casa Verdi, said that he tried to teach the older musicians how to use the internet. “We talk about everything — music, but also everyday problems, politics, elections, technologies,” Mr. de Angelis said, adding that he felt very lucky to live in a place where he could practice the piano any time he wanted…Mr. Gatto, the conductor, put away his winnings — chocolate bars and biscotti — and prepared to move to another room for a pre-dinner concert. “We speak about the music, the life, the memories,” he said, nodding his agreement with Ms. Roman. “It’s lovely to be in this company.”
“Great to see a spotlight on Casa Verdi in this terrific feature by Sally McGrane. VIVA VERDI!, our documentary on Casa Verdi, which is currently in postproduction, is an intimate glimpse into the lives of many of these celebrated opera singers and musicians featured in this piece, among others at the home. The house is unique in the world, with “guests of Verdi” actively ageing, living out their third act, creatively and passionately, while mentoring international music students who live among them. With original music by Emmy Award-winning composer, Nicholas Pike, performed by superstar soprano, Grammy Award-winning Ana María Martínez, the feature length film is directed/produced by Yvonne Russo, produced/executive produced by Christine La Monte and Ron Simons; VIVA VERDI!
VIVA VERDI! Producer Christine La Monte
VIVA VERDI! Producer Christine La Monte being interviewed on Reba Merrill’s Hollywood Live.
La Repubblica / America Oggi – August 27, 2014
An article about the project and Indiegogo campaign with photo was featured on the front page of the America Oggi section.
Classic Tuscan Homes – Facebook Page – Sept 9, 2014
A VIVA VERDI! sneak preview was posted on the Classic Tuscan Homes Facebook page.
Classic Tuscan Homes – Facebook Page – Sept 1, 2014
A mention for the Indiegogo Campaign was posted on the Classic Tuscan Homes Facebook page.
Istituto Italiano di Cultura Los Angeles – August 18, 2014
Posted a link on their website for our Indiegogo campaign.
Sundance Institute – August 27, 2014
The Sundance Institute tweeted our handle and asked their 56.5 K followers to check us out.
MIPS, The Minority Independent Producers Summit – August 1, 2014
MIPS sent an email and posted on their social media sites. They posted the short press release version with this message:
We’re proud to recommend supporting this important story which sheds light on this hidden treasure inside Verdi’s remarkable legacy – Casa Verdi retirement home for musicians. We wish the team much success in bringing this story to the big screen.
If you have a crowdfunding campaign you’re kicking off that you’d like us to consider for support please email us for details here.
Collectively, we can make a difference. Have a great weekend!
AWD, Association of Women Directors – August 1, 2014
An email blast was sent to the professional AWD list and a second email blast was sent to the classified group members on August 3, 2014.
IDA – Independent Documentary Association – July 31, 2014
A copy of the short press release appeared in the member news section of the IDA.
TRIBECA FILMS INSTITUTE – July 31, 2014
TFI sent a tweet about our campaign on their Twitter Account
WIF/LA newsletter – July 30, 2014
LOS ANGELES, JULY 30, 2014 – Joining in the celebration of renowned opera composer Giuseppe Verdi’s Bicentennial year, VIVA VERDI!’s award-winning filmmakers and NYWIFT member director/producer Yvonne Russo and WIF member and producer Christine La Monte, are bringing to the screen the remarkable story of the hidden lives inside Casa Verdi of Milan, the home built by Verdi for retired opera singers and musicians. The inspiration behind Dustin Hoffman’s film, QUARTET, the stately retirement home built in 1896 still remains the heart of Verdi’s legacy.
An Indiegogo campaign will launch on Wednesday, July 30 to raise funds for the film’s second round of filming in Milan, Italy – where Casa Verdi is located. To see footage and support filmmakers with the next phase of production go to: www.igg.me/at/vivaverdithefilm
NY/WIF newsletter – July 30, 2014
VIVA VERDI
In light of the bicentennial year of renowned opera composer Giuseppe Verdi, the award-winning filmmakers and WIF members Yvonne Russo and Christine La Monte are bringing a new documentary to the screen. The film will tell the story of the hidden lives inside Casa Verdi. Giuseppe Verdi built the house in Milan as a home to retired opera singers and musicians. The stately retirement home which was also the inspiration behind Dustin Hoffman’s film, QUARTET, remains the heart of Verdi’s legacy. Christine La Monte will produce and Yvonne Russo will both produce and direct. For more informationa and to help fund the project please click here to get to the IndieGoGo campaign.
Film Independent – July 28, 2014
VIVA VERDI! Documentary Launches “Second Phase Production” Indiegogo Campaign (Title of Posting)
VIVA VERDI!Documentary on Giuseppe Verdi’s Casa Verdi, the Inspiration Behind Dustin Hoffman’s QUARTET Launches Indiegogo “Second Phase Production” Campaign July 29.
Joining in the celebration of renowned opera composer Giuseppe Verdi’s Bicentennial year, VIVA VERDI!’s award-winning filmmakers, director Yvonne Russo and producer Christine La Monte, are bringing to the screen the remarkable story of the hidden lives inside Casa Verdi of Milan, the home built by Verdi for retired opera singers and musicians. The inspiration behind Dustin Hoffman’s film, QUARTET, the stately retirement home built in 1896 still remains the heart of Verdi’s legacy. Support Viva Verdi’s Indigogo Campaign at: www.igg.me/at/vivaverdithefilm
TALK CLASSICAL Music Blog – July 30, 2014
DONLOE’S LOWDOWN – July 30, 2014