Look out, James Cameron, you may be getting some competition in new 3D filmmaking. Variety reports that esteemed German filmmaker Wim Wenders has recently finished photography on a short Italian 3D feature titled “Il Volo.” The 27-minute film, whose title translates to “The Flight,” stars Ben Gazzara as the mayor of a Calabrian village who initiates a program in 1997 to try to integrate a set of Kurdish refugees into the dwindling population of his own people. The film boasts an extremely modest budget of $500,000 funded by Calabrian investors and utilizing free for for-scale workers.
Unlike the fantastical 3D usage in recent Hollywood films, “Il Volo” seeks to extend the country’s tradition of neorealism. “3D can be a way to heighten a sense of naturalistic, rather than supernatural reality,” says producer Gianfranco Borgatti. The country boasts a thriving 3D market in comparison to surrounding European countries, in which 10% of the country’s ticket sales comprise of 3D films. An adaptation of Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw,” directed by Marcello Avallone, as well as a teen romance from Maurizio Nichetti are also in store for Italy’s 3D market.
This isn’t first 3D project conceived by Wenders, but it’s the first to go in front of cameras after production on “Pina,” his tribute to acclaimed choreographer and dancer Pina Bausch came to a halt after her death last year. As far as we know, Wenders’ film will be the first semi-major product from an established arthouse filmmaker produced with three dimensional photography. Will Wenders be clever enough to extend the technology beyond eye-popping distraction and integrate 3D in a way that truly elevates the film? It’s tough to say, and, given the nature of the project, we guess that we might have to wait a while to see its stateside release in any capacity. – Jon Davies
