A tribute to our fellow citizen Ermanno Olmi
Ermanno Olmi: Master of Italian Cinema
Ermanno Olmi, born in Bergamo on July 24, 1931 and passed away in 2018, was an Italian director, screenwriter and film producer, considered one of the masters of Italian and world cinema.
His work, characterized by a poetic and contemplative style, explored universal themes such as faith, nature, work and the human condition.
Bergamo, the birthplace of Ermanno Olmi
Although often erroneously reported as Treviglio, the place where he moved with his family when he was still a child, Ermanno Olmi was born in Bergamo, in the Malpensata district. His childhood and youth were marked by life in this city but also in Treviglio and the lower area, which later became the backdrop for some of his most famous films, such as "The Tree of Wooden Clogs".
Olmi’s connection with Bergamo has always been profound. The city has helped shape his vision of the world and his artistic sensibility, significantly influencing his cinematographic work.
Her legacy is today carefully preserved by her hometown, which dedicated a cinema to her and continues to celebrate her creative genius.
Olmi: the origins and the documentaries
Born into a working-class family, Olmi approached cinema at a young age, making industrial documentaries and short films. His directorial debut came in 1955 with the film "Time Stopped", a realistic portrait of peasant life in the Po Valley.
International success
International recognition came in 1961 with "Il posto", a film that tells the story of a young Milanese employee dealing with his first work experience.
The film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, establishing Olmi as one of the most important directors of Italian cinema.
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Ermanno Olmi's poetic and reflective cinema In his later works, Olmi continues to explore social and religious themes with a poetic and reflective style. Among his most famous films we remember: "The Tree of Wooden Clogs" (1977), winner of the Golden Lion in Venice, which narrates the life of a peasant family in the Bergamo area during the Second World War; "The Legend of the Holy Drinker" (1988), with Rutger Hauer in the role of a man struggling with alcoholism; and "Microcosmos" (1996), a documentary on the life of insects made with innovative techniques. |
Olmi: a recognized master
Olmi has received numerous awards throughout his career, including three David di Donatello Awards for Best Director, the César Award for Best Foreign Film and the Honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2008.
His work has left a deep mark on Italian and world cinema, influencing generations of directors and filmmakers. His poetic style and his ability to capture the essence of human life make him a master of cinema who continues to be appreciated and studied even today.
The room dedicated to the master at the Treviglio cinema
Our city, which gave birth unofficially but for a good part of his life, to Ermanno Olmi, preserves a precious tribute to the great director: a cinema hall dedicated to him. This space of the Anteo cinema in Treviglio, represents a place of memory and culture for the old and new generations.
Together with the other rooms dedicated to the protagonists of the 7th art, the Ermanno Olmi room is a point of reference for film enthusiasts and for anyone who wishes to immerse themselves in the world so loved by the master.
A concrete and lasting tribute to his creative genius, which continues to inspire and excite new generations.
Ermanno Olmi beyond cinema
Olmi was also an active writer, publishing books and essays on cinema and society. He was also involved in social and cultural projects, demonstrating a great sense of civil responsibility.
Ermanno Olmi represents a reference figure for Italian and world cinema. His work, rich in poetry and reflection, continues to excite and inspire viewers around the world.
