Water & Sugar: Carlo Di Palma, the Colours of Life

Water & Sugar: Carlo Di Palma, the Colours of Life, faithfully intercepts the captivating life trajectory and noteworthy career of the acclaimed Italian cinematographer, Carlo Di Palma, who has firmly carved out a place for himself in the film industry. This intriguing 2016 documentary film serves as both a heartfelt tribute to this skilful cinematographer and a deep exploration into the genesis of Di Palma's career. The film features an intimate array of interviews with Di Palma's contemporaries and collaborators as well as an all-embracing study of his poetic and imaginative work.

Directed by Ciulli Farulli, this 90-minute documentary celebrates the life of Di Palma and his contributions to European and American cinema. Born in Rome in 1925, Di Palma became an essential part of Italian Neorealist cinema and later worked with some of the great mastheads of filmmaking, including Michelangelo Antonioni and Woody Allen.

The film favors a chronological structure, gradually unfurling Di Palma's life and career, beginning from his early childhood years in Rome, where he was born to a family of film technicians. The narrative traces his journey from a camera assistant in his teens to his evolvement as one of the most celebrated cinematographers in European and American cinema.

Interposed with historical images, film excerpts, never-seen-before personal footage, and family photos, Water & Sugar provides an emotionally textured portrait of Di Palma's personal and professional life. These juxtapositions convey a profound understanding of the connections between Di Palma's life, the cultural context of his times, and prevailing trends in the world of cinema.

Di Palma's early experiences in the film industry equipped him with practical knowledge which would underpin his later success. He worked as an assistant to expert cinematographer Aldo Tonti on the celebrated Italian neorealist film "Rome, Open City". This practical knowledge propelled him to become an invaluable asset for renowned Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni, aiding him in shaping his unique, entirety-defining visual style in classics such as "Red Desert" and "Blow-Up".

Carlo Di Palma's work resonated across the Atlantic where he eventually worked with Woody Allen on more than a dozen films, beginning with "Hannah and Her Sisters". Di Palma’s unique cinematographic approach to Allen's films helped solidify Allen's own auteur imprint on American cinema. Detailed studies of his vibrant contribution to the films are touching testaments to his method and a unique fusion of European and American narrative styles.

In addition to providing an in-depth look at Di Palma's professional journey, the film includes several interviews and contributions from important players in both European and American cinema including directors such as Woody Allen, Bernardo Bertolucci, Ken Loach, Wim Wenders, to name a few.

To complement this wealth of material, Water & Sugar also offers a glimpse into Di Palma's personal life. Featured prominently are interviews with his wife, Adriana Chiesa Di Palma, who herself is an important figure in Italian cinema, and his daughter, Valentina Di Palma. Their candid recollections add a personal touch to the documentary, and their insights about Carlo as a husband, father, and artist serve to enrich the cinematic narrative.

Water & Sugar takes us on a dynamic journey, delving deep into a differing range of film styles and periods which Carlo Di Palma wonderfully interacted with. For those engaged in the world of filmmaking, it's a masterclass in cinematography and the characteristics that separate one great artist from another. For film enthusiasts, it prompts an appreciation for the unseen heroes behind the scenes who pioneer innovations in cinematic aesthetics.

The documentary is an affectionate and well-deserved tribute to a master craftsman, presenting a cinematic cross-section of one of the industry’s most accomplished visionaries. Water & Sugar: Carlo Di Palma, the Colours of Life serves as a testament to the craft of an exceptional cinematographer while simultaneously shedding light on an important era of cinematic history. It underlines the colourful and vibrant life of a humble man who touched the lives of many, through his vision, dedication, and love for the art form.