Imagery In The Film 'Il Giovane Favoloso'

Leopardi in Film Vs in Writing
In the film Il Giovane Favoloso by Mario Motone, which is based on the life of the Italian poet, Giacomo Leopardi, similar to in Leopardi’s poem 's imagery is crucial for the viewer and the reader to gain context and understand the individual, Leopardi. Whether, this is being imagery in cinematic form in the film, or imagery in Leopardi’s poems it helps paint a picture of what the man was like, or at least what he was envisioned to be like. Often in both the film and his poem’s imagery is conveyed through nature, whether this is through volcanoes, the moon, or a flock of birds. This imagery is used to either paint a picture of the poet Leopardi from an out looker’s perspective or in the case of Leopardi himself,

This association, bridges a connection between the poet and the film. It attempts to get inside the mind of Leopardi. Attempting to understand Leopardi’s mind through the use of imagery of nature. To examine the reasons his love of self and humanity may be non existent, but his appreciation for nature remains. He appears to take pleasure in nature, whether this be him sitting on the beach, or walking through a garden, he enjoys nature, even at his worst and when he is near death. For example, in the garden scene, Leopardi, though barely able to walk, limps through the garden, taking solace in nature, reaching down to earth and grabbing the soil, as if he is striving to hold onto something earthly. He is, despite his agony and pain in his dying days able to find peace and pleasure with the earth, with nature, something, he struggled to do with humans. In his poems, like To the Moon, he often alludes to the beauty of the moon, referring to it as “o graceful moon” or “beloved moon of mine”.In other works he refers to the flocks of birds, and how he envies them and wishes to be like them. Not having to concern himself with trivial human matters, merely he could just exist. This bird reference appeared in the film as well. Overall, there is a great sense of admiration for the natural aspects of the world, as opposed to the human aspects, both in Leopardi’s poetry and in the film. This is evident, as in Leopardi’s poems he refers to nature with envy, but refers to himself and humanity with resentment. Wishing he could be happy, posing the question to the flock in his poem Night Song of a Wandering Shepherd in Asia “tell me why is it/ all animals are happy/ resting, at ease, while I, if I lie down/ am plagued with Tedium?” This passage from the poem, indicates a general unhappiness that plagues