Lucca Experience, the documentary that tells the story of the city
In many cities around the world there are films that have the task of introducing the public to the characteristics of the place where they live or they are about to visit. To give an adequate video dimension to the city of Lucca, Antonio Nardone, director of the documentary Lucca Experience, presented to the public in August, thought about it. Mysterious and complex, full of charm and hidden artistic treasures, with a story of an unsuspected grandeur: these are the elements condensed into a spectacular film of great impact.
There are hundreds of printed publications on Lucca, which can be found both in specialized libraries. The director had the opportunity to draw directly from materials related to archaeological excavations, a factor that allowed him to go beyond the bibliography to reconstruct periods of the city that had never been shown in detail. Here, then, that the prehistoric phase and that of the Roman foundation find space within the film, during which, for example, the ancient forum of the city (corresponding almost to today's Piazza San Michele) and the Roman amphitheater were built, on which the famous square of the same name is based today. All this was possible thanks to the contribution of the archaeologist Elisabetta Abela, fundamental for the development of the project.
In just 36 minutes, 4000 years of history have been enclosed, thanks to a fierce but not superficial synthesis, aimed at avoiding digressions on topics that are not found in the current city. Also contributing to telling the story of Lucca in a compelling and non-didactic manner was the choice to leverage on a very fast narrative rhythm, typical of American blockbusters rather than classic Italian documentaries.
There are many characteristics of the Tuscan city that are told within the film. The author had immediately clear ideas in this regard: "beyond the Walls, which are the symbol of the main feature of the city, or rather independence, Lucca is a masterpiece of harmony developed over time, where he asked for it medieval coexist with the Renaissance palaces and the great neoclassical architecture of the nineteenth century. Lucca is often wrongly accused of not possessing great masterpieces of art, but any visit to churches or national museums can disprove this impression. But the main feature of Lucca is that it is an urban masterpiece that has evolved over time. Even the fact that for centuries the wars have spared it, saving it from the bombardments that have devastated so many beautiful cities, has made its development very harmonious. Lucca appears to the tourist as an oasis of tranquility: a city on a human scale, where you can walk to always discover new places full of poetry and beauty. "
After a first initial phase followed by a stop, the Lucca Experience will resume daily projections from the beginning of April, with the start of the high tourist season. Particularly suitable for tourists and young people in schools, many citizens of Lucca have nevertheless wanted to see it, enthusiastic about discovering aspects and stories of their city that they didn't even imagine.
At the moment, the documentary is still visible upon reservation, in the room on the ground floor of the Casermetta San Donato in Piazzale Verdi. For reservations, please contact the following number: 3476682289.
