Black Journal
Black Journal (Italian: Gran bollito, lit. 'Large bollito') is a 1977 Italian black comedy film[1][3] directed by Mauro Bolognini. It is loosely based on real-life serial killer Leonarda Cianciulli, who killed three women between 1939 and 1940, and turned their bodies into soap and teacakes.[4] It stars Shelley Winters, Max von Sydow, Renato Pozzetto and Alberto Lionello, with the latter three in a dual role as both the victims of the killer, in drag, and those who apprehend her.[4][5]
Black Journal | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Italian | Gran bollito |
Directed by | Mauro Bolognini |
Produced by | Sandra Riccardi Infascelli |
Screenplay by | Nicola Badalucco |
Story by |
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Starring | |
Music by | Enzo Jannacci |
Cinematography | Armando Nannuzzi |
Edited by | Nino Baragli |
Distributed by | Produzioni Atlas Consorziate |
Release date | October 1977 |
Running time | 112 minutes |
Country | Italy |
Language | Italian |
Budget | L.1.9 billion[1] ($2 million)[1] |
Box office | L.480 million[2] |
Cast
- Shelley Winters as Lea
- Regina Bianchi as Lea (voice)
- Max von Sydow as Lisa / Carabinieri Marshall
- Renato Pozzetto as Stella / Carabinieri Officer
- Alberto Lionello as Berta / bank clerk
- Adriana Asti as Palma
- Rita Tushingham as Maria
- Milena Vukotic as Tina
- Mario Scaccia as Rosario
- Liù Bosisio as crippled neighbor
- Franco Branciaroli as Father Onorio
- Antonio Marsina as Michele
- Maria Monti as second neighbor
- Laura Antonelli as Sandra
- Marco Modugno as Student
- Alberto Squillante as Carabinieri Officer
- Giancarlo Badessi as Lisa's friend
- Franco Balducci
Production
Mauro Bolognini was originally going to direct the film 15 years earlier, with Anna Magnani in the lead role.[6][7] Later, he envisioned Sophia Loren as the leading actress.[7] The film had several working titles from 1976 to 1977, including Black Journal, La cuoca del diavolo, Sapone di donna, Donne all'interno, La saponificatrice and La signora degli orrori.[3][4][7][8]
Ornella Muti was cast as the girlfriend of Lea's son,[4] but dropped out in June 1977 and was replaced by Laura Antonelli.[1]
References
- "Laura per la Cianciulli" [Laura for Cianciulli]. La Stampa (in Italian) (136). 21 June 1977. p. 7. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- Poppi, Roberto; Pecorari, Mario (1991). Dizionario del cinema italiano: I film. Vol. 4/1: Dal 1970 al 1979. A-L (in Italian). Rome: Gremese Editore. p. 346. ISBN 8876059350.
- Antonelli, Lamberto (13 April 1977). "Cianciulli americana" [American Cianciulli]. Stampa Sera (in Italian). p. 21. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- Enrico, Baldo (8 April 1977). "La Cianciulli in un film di Bolognini: vittime Renato, Lionello e Von Sydow" [Cianciulli in a Bolognini film: Renato, Lionello and Von Sydow as her victims]. La Stampa (in Italian) (73). p. 16. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- Jelardi, Andrea, ed. (2009). In scena en travesti: il travestitismo nello spettacolo italiano (in Italian). Rome: Libreria Croce. p. 145. ISBN 8864020098.
- Enrico, Baldo (22 March 1977). "Donati, l'uomo che veste i personaggi di Fellini" [Donati, the man who dresses Fellini's characters]. La Stampa (in Italian) (59). p. 7. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- Antonelli, Lamberto (29 December 1976). "Per la Cianciulli vorrei Sophia..." [For Cianciulli's role I'd want Sophia...]. Stampa Sera (in Italian). p. 16. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
- "Fantasmi e mafiosi nei film dell'inverno" [Ghosts and mafiosos in winter's films]. Stampa Sera (in Italian). 11 October 1977. p. 20. Retrieved 5 October 2020.