Category: Dario Argento

A member of the CultFilms team was fortunate enough to visit Dario Argento – The Exhibit at the National Museum of Cinema in Turin so we thought we’d share an insight into the exhibition for those who are unable to make the pilgrimage but would like to know more about this impressive testament to the work of one of Italy’s most formidable and creative directors of horror cinema.

As one enters the impressive Mole Antonelliana, one is struck by the scale and focus dedicated to Dario Argento: The Exhibit. Colour and sound design are of great importance to Argento’s cinema and this is reflected throughout the sprawling exhibition space which is cast in red, green and other candy coloured hues befitting of the director who bequeathed to the world the phantasmagorical fairytale of SUSPIRIA. Carefully curated clips play on the museums dual cinema screens displaying the creative ingenuity of Argento’s work throughout his cinematic career accompanied by music from frequent collaborators Ennio Morricone and Goblin. The museum’s permanent chaise lounge style seating gives visitors the opportunity to soak in the director’s visually arresting oeuvre in comfort either before or after taking in the macabre delights of the exhibition.

The main portion of Dario Argento: The Exhibit is laid out across winding platforms which spiral up towards the dizzying heights of the Mole Antonelliana, chronologically detailing Argento’s career from his impressive cinematic debut THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE all the way up to his most recent endeavour, OCCHIALI NERI. Argento’s films are represented via large boards detailing the premise of each film, choice quotes from Argento, select images and video clips and general information such as box office takings and cast. These boards are flanked with various relevant props and other paraphernalia such as scripts and concept drawings. Fans of Argento will likely revel in the selection of iconic props on display which include the sinister bucktoothed pupazzo head in DEEP RED, Peter Neal’s infamous novel TENEBRAE, a sculptural shard of the peacock statuette in SUSPIRIA and the perspex fly necklace from FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET. Costuming is also represented via the stunning bejewelled costumes of Betty’s Lady Macbeth in OPERA to Giorgio Armani’s tailored utilitarian creations for Jennifer Connelly in PHENOMENA and the less glamorous but equally memorable austere uniform of Alida Valli’s Miss Tanner in SUSPIRIA. Perhaps one of the more surprising props on offer is the graffiti monster from THE STENDHAL SYNDROME complete with oversized appendage! As you ascend the walkway taking in each film and its respective props, you embark on an exciting journey through Argento’s career illustrated by a diverse and colourful collection that pays tribute to an enduring and influential cinematic legacy.

Whilst Argento’s directorial career in cinema is the exhibit’s main focus, his televisual work such as DOOR INTO DARKNESS is also recognised alongside his work as a producer on seminal horror titles such as Lamberto Bava’s DEMONS and Michele Soavi’s THE CHURCH and THE SECT. Props for the aforementioned films including Menelik the demon from DEMONS II and the goat devil hybrid creature from THE CHURCH are on prominent display and are some of the most memorable items featured throughout the exhibition. As the scores to SUSPIRIA and DEEP RED reverberate in the background, it feels fitting that the importance of music to Argento’s filmography is also recognised via its own display complete with reverberating platform where one can physically experience the music of Claudio Simonetti. A further display gives insight into the influence and cultural impact of Argento’s work through the copious number of books written about the filmmaker in a variety of languages from across the decades. The exhibition is rounded off with an engaging interview with Argento about his career featuring a number of insightful and humorous anecdotes — including a very funny Morricone FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET story — that relay Argento’s experiences and creative processes as a filmmaker. As one leave the main exhibition space, a mirror hangs with an oh so familiar painting for Argentophiles — an ode to one of Argento’s most lasting images which visitors can recreate for themselves in their own tribute to seminal giallo DEEP RED.

The influence and legacy of Argento’s cinema is reflected in a further display away from the main exhibition space. In this separate area, a Dario Argento themed issue of Italian magazine Linus with artworks inspired by the maestro and his films are displayed featuring a mix of mediums from comic strips to oil paintings. Before exiting to the shop, an enormous mirrored knife dripping with blood stands tall offering visitors a final chance for a photo opportunity. And for visitors not content with all the exhibit has to offer, information is provided via a handy QR code to the locations of many of his films which were filmed in the city of Turin, a city Argento always marvelled at the magical quality of and a fitting location for a tribute to his daring and illustrious career.

 

Dario Argento: The Exhibit runs at the National Museum of Cinema in Turin until the 16th of January 2023.

DARIO ARGENTO: THE SYMPHONY OF FEAR is available to purchase now from CultFilms.