The Years of La Dolce Vita, Estorick Collection - exhibition review

Photographs of actors and directors, mostly by Marcello Geppetti and Arturo Zavattini, capturing Rome’s post-War decadence, glamour and shamelessness
Glitzy: Jack Lemmon, Joan Collins and Robert Wagner at Caffe dell’Epoca, 1961 (Pic: Marcello Geppetti)
Sue Steward30 April 2014

La Dolce Vita is a time capsule in cinema history and represents Rome’s post-War decadence, glamour and shamelessness. Its scenes are matched here by black-and-white photographs of actors and directors, most by Italian legends Marcello Geppetti and Arturo Zavattini. The show’s subjects range from the film’s director, Federico Fellini, behind his camera to Joan Collins in a bar with Jack Lemmon and Robert Wagner — all ignoring the lens.

Rome’s Via Veneto was the celebrity hub where actors gathered between filming and photographers followed them. Geppetti’s Vespa took him on the hunt and inspired the film and the word “paparazzi”. He caught Ingrid Bergman strolling with her daughters, Brigitte Bardot posing, and Jayne Mansfield being fed spaghetti. The effect of nocturnal flash-lighting suggests film stills, most strikingly with Anita Ekberg wielding a bow and arrow at paparazzi outside her house. Many being stalked, including Richard Burton and Liz Taylor kissing, are oblivious.

The collection’s beautifully printed tonal range is particularly effective in shots taken on Cinecittà’s film sets and backlots, where portraits of Fellini and actor Marcello Mastroianni reveal talent beyond paparazzi.

Until June 29 (020 7704 9522, estorickcollection.com)

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