Casanova returns, that Venetian libertine who never stops loving

Women, money and power were the main desires of the famous Venetian gentleman Giacomo Casanovathat libertine who even himself Federico Fellini brought to the cinema, with Donald Sutherland. Sometimes he had women and money, sometimes only women, and one day he also began to have “a certain age”, that age when the power of seduction diminishes, autumn begins and the bittersweet balance of life takes over.

But what happens if challenging eyes reawaken the hunting instinct? That’s what it’s all about “The Return of Casanova”which the Europa Europa channel premieres on Friday, starring Toni Servilloone of those veterans with a good demeanor and a knowing look that enriches any film he acts in.

“The Return of Casanova” is loosely inspired by a novel by Arthur Schnitzlerof which there have already been other versions, one of them starring Alain Delon at 62 years old. But in the one we will now see a parallel plot is added. On the one hand, what it tells Schnitzler: an inglorious return, a bet, a deceived woman, a soldier who declares himself offended by the old gallant.

On the other hand, a director who decides to film that story, while he is living something similar to what his character is living, with similar folly but perhaps with other consequences. Small convention: the scenes referring to Casanova are filmed in color, and those of the director who is already thinking about retirement are in black and white. Along with Toni Servillo act Fabrizio Bentivoglio, Sara Serraiocco, Bianca Panconi. Director, Gabriele Salvatoresanother veteran, Oscar 1992 for the tragicomedy “Mediterranean”.

Sex in Vienna

Perhaps the name of Arthur Schnitzler sounds familiar. It’s natural, “Eyes wide Shut”of Stanley Kubrickwith Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, “The Naked Angel”, by Carlos Hugo Christensen, with Olga Zubarry at the age of 16, are some of the many films inspired by his novels and plays.

Born and raised in Vienna, doctor friend of Sigmund Freuda writer who was censored several times and even banned at the beginning of the 20th century in half of Europe, Arthur Schnitzler He knew how to delve into the secret concerns and sexual obsessions of the people of his time, especially the women of his time.

An example, “Round”an ironic succession of lovers admirably brought to the cinema by the master Max Ophülsan exquisite, and less admirably for Asta Nielsen, Roger Vadim, Fernando Meirelles, Anthony Hopkinsthere is even an eighties erotic mess, “New York Nights”inspired by “Round”and another Japanese, almost porn.

Then, “Miss Elsa”, The drama of an innocent young girl who, in order to pay her father’s debts, must show her body to a lecherous guy. She was played by Elisabeth Bergner, Romy Schneiderand here, as “The Naked Angel”, Olga Zubarry in 1946 and Maria de los Angeles Medrano in 1971 (for a chapter of “High Comedy” directed by Alexander Doriawhen Argentine open television was something else). It is difficult to forget the perverts who wanted to take advantage of the girl. They had the unforgettable faces of Curd Jurgens, Guillermo Battaglia, Lautaro Murua.

And then, between comedies and dramas, “Lovely” (also in this case the best version is the one Ophuls), “Anatol’s Affairs”, “Mrs. Berta Garlan”, “Literature” (two ex-lovers write their respective memoirs of the same experience), “Mitzi”, “Professor Bernhardi”and of course, “Trauma Novel”a nightmare in which a respected professional discovers that his wife has certain not-so-intimate fantasies (and that she might act on them).

There are at least three versions of this work: the Austrian one with Erika Pluhar, the italian “One step towards the dawn” with Adriana Russoand the free version of Stanley Kubrickwhich may not be the best but is the most striking, and the most viewed.