Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Brad Pitt to Blow Glass in Film?

This may be too weird for Weird Venice, but... Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Peter O'Toole may be starring in a film about Venetian glassmakers. Here's the story from ANSA.it:

Hollywood star is among names considered for new film (ANSA) - Rome, January 25 - Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Peter O'Toole could take roles as Venetian glass craftsmen in an American movie to be filmed in the famous lagoon city at the end of the spring.

"Cruise, Pitt and O'Toole are among the actors being considered for the leading roles," said Italian actor Angelo Infanti, who already has a part in the film.

The US-produced film, called 'The Man Who Invented the Mirror', will be directed by Italy's Carlo Carlei, who is famous in his native country for a 2003 film about Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the sportscar company.

Virtually nothing is known about the film's plot, although 66-year-old Infanti, who had small roles in the Godfather films, said it told a "fascinating story".

Venice has been famous for centuries for its glass craftsmen and, in particular, its glassblowers, who have traditionally had workshops on the island of Murano. This meant it was harder for artisans from elsewhere to steal their secrets and techniques.

During the 15th century Venetian craftsman invented the first clear glass, called 'cristallo'.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Brad Pitt? Tom Cruise? Please....you'd think they could hire some Italian hunks to play, well Italian hunks...not American wannabes.

SharonZ said...

I totally agree. Brad Pitt's last good role was in "Thelma & Louise." Tom Hanks? The war movie was probably his last good role (what's the name of the movie?).

Yeah, give us the Italian hunks! A few years ago, I was able to blow glass with Alfredo Barbini, "an 84-year old master glass artist, and also considered one of the remaining great masters. His style is very avant-garde, from minimalist shapes to bold forms." (from http://www.landofodds.com/store/murano.htm

SharonZ said...

Ooops, I hit the send button too soon...

I wanted to add that Barbini was so cool. Cruise & Hanks will never be able to capture it. Barbini said that he'd been married for 60 years and that his wife wsa still the most beautiful woman in Vencie.