Venice in Hollywood or Hollywood in Venice?
May 30th 2006 19:43
So like, the only thing I want to see, is like, where they shot that awwwesome scene in The Italian Job.
Does this sound like you? Hmm. It’s true that the opening scenes of Paramount’s remake of The Italian Job were shot in Venice. Apparently, it’s the first time Venice officials have allowed a film crew over the speed limit in years. And no one can deny that the Hollywood remake basically put Venice on the map. Like who knew that in the 7th Century, the Venetians faced extinction when the Byzantine Empire issued a decree forbidding the use of holy images in worship? Or that such a decree would have undermined religious practice in Venice? Not me - until I watched The Italian Job. So informative.
Basically, Venice had one choice, they could give the Empire a Liverpool Kiss and a big up-yours, and go on to perish without Constantinople’s protection, or they could suck it up and come up with some ingenious jewel-snatching heist headed by a former New Kid on the Block. Ultimately, they did neither. What they did do, realising that the Empire was blowing a helluvalot of smoke and could never enforce the decree, was elect a Doge (deriving from the Latin word dux, meaning ‘leader’) to serve as a liaison between the city and the rest of the Empire.
Although it was a brave move, it basically preserved the Venetian way of life. As a result, the Palace of the Doge stands today in magisterial testament to Venetian resilience. It’s a beautiful building, gothic in style like its Milanese counterpart, the Duomo, but reflecting the history of Venice itself through constantly revised architecture. Inside are Renaissance paintings and sculptures, as well as Byzantine mosaics.
I even saw the Doge’s sarcophagus, and I was all like “Hey, what’s up Doge?”
Hehem. Next instalment I’ll tell you a little story about my trip to St Mark’s Basilica.
Information from:
http://www.etrav.com/pathways/html/doge.asp
Does this sound like you? Hmm. It’s true that the opening scenes of Paramount’s remake of The Italian Job were shot in Venice. Apparently, it’s the first time Venice officials have allowed a film crew over the speed limit in years. And no one can deny that the Hollywood remake basically put Venice on the map. Like who knew that in the 7th Century, the Venetians faced extinction when the Byzantine Empire issued a decree forbidding the use of holy images in worship? Or that such a decree would have undermined religious practice in Venice? Not me - until I watched The Italian Job. So informative.
Basically, Venice had one choice, they could give the Empire a Liverpool Kiss and a big up-yours, and go on to perish without Constantinople’s protection, or they could suck it up and come up with some ingenious jewel-snatching heist headed by a former New Kid on the Block. Ultimately, they did neither. What they did do, realising that the Empire was blowing a helluvalot of smoke and could never enforce the decree, was elect a Doge (deriving from the Latin word dux, meaning ‘leader’) to serve as a liaison between the city and the rest of the Empire.
Although it was a brave move, it basically preserved the Venetian way of life. As a result, the Palace of the Doge stands today in magisterial testament to Venetian resilience. It’s a beautiful building, gothic in style like its Milanese counterpart, the Duomo, but reflecting the history of Venice itself through constantly revised architecture. Inside are Renaissance paintings and sculptures, as well as Byzantine mosaics.
I even saw the Doge’s sarcophagus, and I was all like “Hey, what’s up Doge?”
What's Up, Doge?
Hehem. Next instalment I’ll tell you a little story about my trip to St Mark’s Basilica.
Information from:
http://www.etrav.com/pathways/html/doge.asp
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