Letter Two challenges misconceptions about the commedia dell’arte by present-day theatre critics and directors. It explores a history of an ‘actor-less’ theatre culture in Canada at the hands of a ‘director’s theatre’, in which, increasingly, a tradition of over-trained actors and under-trained directors is encouraged.

The International Summit: Directing in the Public Arts is a symposium and workshop devoted to the Art of the Director. It includes an intensive program of interactive workshops, open forum dialogues, performances, screenings, and paper presentations, all dedicated to exploring the director’s art across the spectrum of the performing arts. The Summit means to inspire creativity, provoke conversation and connect arts professionals with industry, scholars and a community world-wide.

TWO LETTERS …And Counting!, published by Guernica Spring 2013, is based on two actual letters sent to “middle-men” of the Canadian cultural scene: a film/television producer and two theatre critics. Letter One articulates an actor/writer’s struggle with cultural stereotypes in Canadian theatre/film/TV. Letter Two challenges misconceptions about commedia dell’arte by present-day theatre critics and directors. It explores a history of an ‘actor-less’ theatre culture in Canada at the hands of ‘director’s theatre’, in which, increasingly, a tradition of over-trained actors and under-trained directors is encouraged. “… And Counting!” (Letter Three) is a postmortem of Two Letters, and a journey into the present state of theatre, culture (and funding).

Watch the film and don’t forget to buy your copy of TWO LETTERS …And Counting! afterwards!

Leonidas Donskis

Leonidas Donskis is a philosopher, political theorist, historian of ideas, and social and political commentator. A public figure in Lithuania and currently a Member of the European Parliament, he is an untiring defender of tolerance, human rights, and civil liberties. He has authored or edited 34 books, 15 in English, including as co-author of Moral Blindness: The Loss of Sensitivity in Liquid Modernity (with Zygmunt Bauman).

A Small Map of Experience: Reflections & Aphorisms is the English version of this book, and will be published by Guernica this Fall. Zygmunt Bauman says of this collection: ”In our liquid-modern times, horizons tend to break up or dissolve as soon as they are drawn. It is this unprecedented quality of our condition that Leonidas Donskis attempts to grasp and convey by resurrecting the badly missed and badly needed art of the aphorism, injecting into it a new impetus, a perfect match to the vertiginous pace of our life, and bringing that art up to the gravity and grandiosity of the challenge we confront“.

Congratulations to Leonidas on this great achievement!

Maria Mazziotti Gillan

At Rattle, anything always goes. If a poem is accessible, interesting, moving, and memorable, if it makes you laugh or cry, then it’s the kind of poem that rattles around inside you for years, it is their kind of poem – so it only makes sense that they would review this book. Rattle is published in several forms, but the primary version has been their print issue now appearing quarterly in March, June, September, and December. Each issue is roughly 100 pages of poetry, essays, and an interview with a contemporary poet.

Writing Poetry to Save Your Life combines Gillan’s personal story about her journey as a writer with her suggestions for writers at all stages of development. It is designed to help you find the stories you have to tell and the words to tell them. It is based on the belief that when you find the courage to explore your memories, you will find the source for evocative writing. Writing Poetry to Save Your Life is a book about the writing process rather than about the craft of writing. It can be used in classrooms, by writer’s groups, or by an individual while writing at home or in a coffee shop.

Claudia Lundahl of Rattle says about the book:

It was different from any poetry I’d been reading at the time and what was immediately captivating was the way in which the poems struck me as deeply personal and intimate… She [Gillan] emphasizes the need to be personal in your writing and to bear your soul; to expose yourself even if it feels like being stripped naked…

She writes about the need to make your writing personal and confessional, to draw from our lived experiences because in that way a poem becomes something that identifies you, a mirror image of your soul. 

She doesn’t talk about writing in a way that makes it seem as though a writer even has the option of failing… Her book is aimed to help us achieve our best writing, yes, but it’s also aimed at helping us become the best version of ourselves.

To read the full review, click here.

Letter Two challenges misconceptions about the commedia dell’arte by present-day theatre critics and directors. It explores a history of an ‘actor-less’ theatre culture in Canada at the hands of a ‘director’s theatre’, in which, increasingly, a tradition of over-trained actors and under-trained directors is encouraged.

The ICFF is a Festival that takes place during Canada and Ontario’s “Italian Heritage month”. As the only Italian Film Festival in Canada, ICFF will be an influential showcase for contemporary cinema of Italian origin from all over the world and will bring together filmmakers and audiences to celebrate Italian heritage cinema and explore its new frontiers. ICFF will be 11 days of cinematic experiences centered on Italian life, culture and history.

TWO LETTERS …And Counting!, published by Guernica Spring 2013, is based on two actual letters sent to “middle-men” of the Canadian cultural scene: a film/television producer and two theatre critics. Letter One articulates an actor/writer’s struggle with cultural stereotypes in Canadian theatre/film/TV. Letter Two challenges misconceptions about commedia dell’arte by present-day theatre critics and directors. It explores a history of an ‘actor-less’ theatre culture in Canada at the hands of ‘director’s theatre’, in which, increasingly, a tradition of over-trained actors and under-trained directors is encouraged. “… And Counting!” (Letter Three) is a postmortem of Two Letters, and a journey into the present state of theatre, culture (and funding).

The film will be followed by a Q & A with director Tony Nardi and a chance to purchase a copy of the book. Don’t miss this astounding film on such an important topic, and don’t forget to pick up your copy of TWO LETTERS …And Counting!

Tony Nardi

Tony is a multi-award winner for his work in film, television and theatre. Tony was born in Calabria, Italy, and is a Canadian actor, playwright, director and producer. TWO LETTERS …And Counting! is based on two actual letters sent to “middle-men” of the Canadian cultural scene: a film/television producer and two theatre critics. Letter One articulates an actor/writer’s struggle with cultural stereotypes in Canadian theatre/film/TV. Letter Two challenges misconceptions about commedia dell’arte by present-day theatre critics and directors.

Joe Fiorito of The Toronto Star says: “Nardi uses dramatic acid to burn the rust off truth, and to blister complacency until it turns into awareness. He takes no prisoners … The questions that troubled him so deeply have to do, not just with identity and cultural stereotyping, but also with the nature of storytelling”. 

Tony discusses his book, the letters, and the Canadian cultural scene, as well as the official Montreal Launch of his book, which took place at the Italian Cultural Institute on June 1st, 2013.

You can listen to the interview below:

Tony Nardi Interview

Tony is a multi-award winner for his work in film, television and theatre. Tony was born in Calabria, Italy, and is a Canadian actor, playwright, director and producer. TWO LETTERS …And Counting! is based on two actual letters sent to “middle-men” of the Canadian cultural scene: a film/television producer and two theatre critics. Letter One articulates an actor/writer’s struggle with cultural stereotypes in Canadian theatre/film/TV. Letter Two challenges misconceptions about commedia dell’arte by present-day theatre critics and directors.

This book is making waves in film, television, and theatre in Canada, and is a must-read for anyone interested in these topics.

Be sure to listen to the interview where Tony discusses his book and the Guernica Reading at the Blue Metropolis Festival in Montreal below:

      Tony Nardi Interview

The film is directed by Antonio, a drama that takes place in the world of Sophocles (495-406 B.C.) where the gods are distant; their actions are often incomprehensible. Human laws are absolute and cannot be transgressed. Yet Antigone decides to break these laws. Her murdered brother must receive the respect she believes he is entitled to, regardless of the fact that he is considered a traitor. When Creon finally decides to grant Antigone her wish, it is too late. This 631-verse ancient Greek dramatic poem has been transposed to a contemporary North American city.

The ICFF is a Festival that takes place during Canada and Ontario’s Italian Heritage month. As the only Italian Film Festival in Canada, ICFF will be an influential showcase for contemporary cinema of Italian origin from all over the world and will bring together filmmakers and audiences to celebrate Italian heritage cinema and explore its new frontiers. ICFF will be 11 days of cinematic experiences centered on Italian life, culture and history. Using the power of the moving image to both entertain and educate, ICFF defies conventional perspectives on complex and challenging issues facing both the Italian and the global communities.

Screenings will be accompanied by social events attended by celebrities from Italy or of Italian heritage, a commercial forum to bring together Italian, Canadian and international operators and a series of conferences focused (at least in part) on young filmmakers.

Make a note of this exciting festival, and don’t miss Antonio’s film!

For more event details, click here.

The evening will be emceed by Gianna Patriarca, Luciano Iacobelli, Corrado Paina and hosted by Bruno Magliochetti and the writers themselves. The line-up is:

3pm
Damiano Pietropaolo, Terri Favro, Maria Coletta McLean, Elena Basile

4pm
Bruna Di Giuseppe Bertoni, Darlene Madott, Guernica’s Michael Mirolla, Valentino Assenza

5pm
Sam Pupo, John Romano, Michelle Alfano, Isabella Colallilo-Katz

6pm
Caroline Di Giovanni, Celestino Di Iuliis, Luigi Ferrara, Norman Cristofoli

7pm
Guernica’s Joseph Maviglia, Romina Di Gasbarro, Marisa Buffone, Daniela Saioni

8pm
Rocco De Giacomo, Pier Giorgio Di Cicco, Guernica’s John Calabro, Guernica’s Domenico Capilongo

9pm
Corrado Paina, Guernica’s Gianna Patriarca, Luciano Iacobelli, Claudio Gaudio

Italian Heritage Month recognizes the important contributions Italian Canadians have made to Ontario’s communities. Join us in celebrating this year’s Italian heritage month!

For more information please contact Mr. Luciano Iacobelli at liacobelli1@yahoo.com or 416-893-7979.

To stay in the loop about all of our fabulous events visit the Guernica blog here, and follow us on Twitter.

Books will be available care of Ben McNally Books, and light refreshments will be served. The event is open to the public. See you there!

WHERE THE SUN SHINES BEST by Austin Clarke
Three Canadian soldiers awaiting deployment to Afghanistan beat a homeless man to death on the steps of their armoury after a night of heavy drinking. The poet, whose downtown Toronto home overlooks the armoury and surrounding park, describes the crime, its perpetrators, the victim, and a cast of homeless witnesses that includes the woman, a prostitute, who first alerts police. The subsequent trial evokes reflection on the immigrant experience the poet shares with one of the accused, and on the agony of that young soldier’s mother. From Kandahar to Bridgetown to Mississauga, Ontario, Where the Sun Shines Best encompasses a tragedy of epic scope, a lyrical meditation on poverty, racism and war, and a powerful indictment of the ravages of imperialism.

TWO LETTERS…AND COUNTING! by Tony Nardi
This is a book that needs to be on the minds of everyone in film, television, and theatre in Canada. Tony Nardi’s biting, thought-provoking, insightful commentary on the state of these arts is anything but suppressive. Rather, he directly and blatantly challenges the industry and its mores, attitudes, and perceptions without restraint, leaving no stone unturned. But it’s not only dark – ultimately, TWO LETTERS…And Counting! reflects a desire to see a change, and, in Tony’s words, to see more Canadian actors striving to raise the bar, rather than remaining silently complicit in the steady stream of offensive, outdated and mediocre material that is routinely produced for Canadian audiences.

THE WOMAN WHO DRANK HER OWN REFLECTION by Louise McKinney
A sense of place has always dominated Louise McKinney’s writing life. This poetry collection represents the best of her poetry written from the early 1980s to now. More than depicting mere geographical adventuring, this work expresses the poet’s personal vision and emphasizes the importance of living out one’s potential. This emotional journey may include the necessity of leaving something, of passing through wild and dark places in the shadow self. It may also mean becoming a different person, or persons. Sometimes inner and outer landscape merge. Always there is the hope of arriving at a place of triumphant joy where real meaning is found and love of sovereign self resides. Frequently McKinney’s subject is the natural world and her deep reverence for it.
HUMAN PRESENCES AND POSSIBLE FUTURES: SELECTED POEMS by Richard Dickson, translated by Jo-Anne Elder
This bilingual collection of poetry is a selection of award-winning Franco-Ontarian poet Robert Dickson’s various collections of poetry, including his Governor- General Award winning Humains paysages en temps de paix relative (Human Landscapes in Times of Relative Peace).

THE STALINIST’S WIFE by France Théoret, translated by Luise von Flotow
Louise Aubert leaves Mathieu Lord when he joins the Stalinist party. Fifteen years later, she writes a letter in which she dares express her vision of their common history, marked by authoritarianism, mental cruelty and the absence of sharing in the name of love. In the story that follows this letter, Louise recalls each sequence of her break with Mathieu and exposes the duplicity of the intellectual avant-garde. She also describes how she re-entered society freed from censorship and how she finds the inner strength to speak the truth. La Femme du stalinien is the final novel of a trilogy that includes L’Homme qui peignait Staline [1989] and Les Apparatchiks vont à la mer Noire [2004]

HERE AND NOT ELSEWHERE: SELECTED POEMS by Pietro de Marchi, translated by Marco Sonzogni
De Marchi’s is a poetry of suspended time, where nothing interferes with a world that seems intent on listening to itself, with no material concerns; where the soul seems to expand into all that we look at and are looked by, in a sort of strange holiday.