05/05/2020 - Vicari is directing nine actors inside their own homes, after having sent them a filming kit; the movie explores the emotions of four couples confined to their abodes

The sets may still be closed owing to COVID-19, but Daniele Vicari has found a way to shoot his new film while simultaneously complying with all of the health and union regulations: he is doing so remotely, using smart working. And so the shoot has begun for The Day and the Night [+see also:
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“We’ve constructed a story that remains within the confines of the regulations that are being imposed, but without feeling restricted by them. On the contrary, we are using them as a dramaturgical device,” the helmer – who wrote the movie with Andrea Cedrola – told the la Repubblica daily newspaper. The Day and the Nightexplores the feelings of four couples (three of which are also together in real life) forced to remain indoors, confined to their houses because of a chemical-bacteriological attack on Rome. No mention of the coronavirus, then: rather, the film focuses on the condition of forced isolation that a good proportion of the world’s population have been living through since the start of this rather bizarre year. “Through this collective effort, we are depicting the many complex facets of this situation of forced cohabitation, during which the nature of our feelings is changing,” adds Vicari. “The implications are dramatic, but occasionally amusing as well.”

The nine actors, all working from home, will have to dress themselves, do their make-up and film themselves on their own. “We’ve sent them a kit with a state-of-the-art mobile phone, plus a stabiliser for shooting, a small Steadicam,” explains the director. “The crew will dispense online technical advice regarding the make-up, set design and cinematography.” The scenes have all been sketched out already and the framing of each shot decided on; Vicari will coordinate everything from his computer.

Taking part in the project as actors and directors are: Dario Aita, Elena Gigliotti, Barbara Esposito, Francesco Acquaroli, Isabella Ragonese, Matteo Martari, Milena Mancini, Vinicio Marchioni and Giordano De Plano. The cinematography is being supervised by Gherardo Gossi, the set design by Beatrice Scarpato, and the wardrobe by Roberta and Francesca Vecchi. The editing is being taken care of by Andrea Campajola, while the original score will be composed by Teho Teardo.

Defined by its director as “an act of love that we are dedicating to all of our colleagues and that we hope can contribute to envisaging the future,” The Day and the Night is a Minollo Film production, staged by Andrea Porporati, Daniele Vicari and Francesca Zanza.

(Translated from Italian)