Slicing Potatoes with a Rhythm
Even basic chores carry a beat in Teresa's mind. Pots and pans clatter in harmony, clothes spin in sync, the courtyard sweeps in a lyrical dance. Before Teresa, the reserved maid, discovers her passion for music, she dreams of a life where even chores have a melody.
Margherita Vicario's latest venture, "Gloria!", debuted at the Berlinale competition in February, showcasing the lives of a group of women, led by a strict music maestro, in a historical orphanage college for music in the 1800s near Venice.
Launching the Pop Music Revolution
Teresa (Galatea Bellugi) stumbles upon an abandoned piano hidden in the school's basement. Mastering the piano's keys, she convinces other young spirits to test new tunes. As the pope visits with an anticipated special concert, Teresa unveils a pop music-like revolution that marks a significant shift in music centuries down the line.
Inspired by Vicario's background as an Italian pop musician, "Gloria!" shines a spotlight on the lives of overlooked female composers throughout history, provoking remembrance and respect for their talent and resilience in face of societal constraints.
Emotion and Drama
During the Berlinale screening, Vicario expressed her artistic approach to telling the narratives of female composers active between the 16th and 20th centuries. The era was characterized by significant talent, but female musicians remained largely undiscovered.
The film offers a touch of melancholia with a pinch of humor as the young women face the patriarchal structures of their time whilst seeking inspiration in music. The film's melodramatic moments, unveiling societal biases, and the dangers of extreme religious fervor interfere with the overall emotional intensity, occasionally veering into excessive sentimentalism.
Making an Impact
Teresa's love for music and determination to challenge the status quo creates an unexpected stir within the orphanage. Despite Italy's membership in the European Union during that period, the film highlights the struggles female composers faced, and Vicario's Italian-Swiss production seeks to advocate for and amplify their voices.
