Tuesday, April 15, 2008

"Carnera- The Walking Mountain"- Movie Premiere Tribute to Primo Carnera

The ANNOTICO Report

 

Primo Carnera, a native of the Friuli region of Northern Italy, fought his way, through suffering and adversity, to the top of a glorious boxing career that brought him to win the world heavy-weight championship in 1933, at the Madison Square Garden.

 

Although much is focused on Carnera's size, almost 6 ft 6 in tall and weighing 265 pounds, he was preceded by Jess Willard who stood 6' 6 1/2", the world heavy-weight champion in 1915. Interestingly, Carnera, in 1932 faced the tallest Heavyweight in history up to that point, Santa Camarco, a Portuguese fighter 6 ft 9 in tall. Outsized Champions to follow him were Mohammed Ali at 6'3", and Lennox Lewis at 6'5", among others, and in  December, 2005,  7 ft 1 in, 147 kg Nikolay Valuev won the WBA title.

 

Carnera's boxing record was Total Fights 103; Wins 87; Wins by KO 70; Losses 15; No Contests 1

 

The most important dates in Carnera's boxing carreer (1928-1944) were:

(1)  On   February 10, 1933 he knocked out Ernie Schaaf in 13 rounds in New York. Schaaf died two days later, that left Carnera devastated.

(2)  For his next fight, Carnera faced the by then world Heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey, with the crown on the line. The championship date was June 29, 1933 at the Madison Square Garden. Carnera became world champion by knocking out Sharkey in round six.

(3) Three fights later, on  June 14, 1934 against Max Baer, Carnera fell down 12 times and was defeated in 11 rounds. Carnera's falls were due to his broken ankle. Baer, during the whole match took advantage of the situation, sometimes showing impolite behavior.

(4) After that, Carnera won his next four fights, but then, in his next fight of importance, on June 25, 1935, he was knocked out in six rounds by Joe Louis, who would become world heavyweight champion in 1937.

(5)  In 1938, Carnera, a diabetic, had to have a kidney removed, which forced him into retirement.

 

"Carnera- The Walking Mountain" was directed by Renzo Martinelli, possibly the finest contemporary Italian movie director, who is a master of ethical cinema, a passionate scientist of the motion picture, able to turn historical reconstruction and contemporary issues into poetry and music. Poetry and music that touch the souls of those who still look for true and deep meanings in the form of art that is cinema, without of course sacrificing entertainment and commercial success.

 

Two of Martinelli's earlier productions,"Porzus" and "Vajont", are known for the accurate and captivating historical reconstructions that his movies are always based on. Another of his earlier works, "Piazza delle Cinque Lune", is the shocking reconstruction of the kidnapping and murder of prominent Italian politician Aldo Moro by the Red Brigates.

 

Renzo Martinelli's 'Carnera- The Walking Mountain'

 

Madison Square Garden Hosts A Tribute to Boxing legend Primo Carnera With A  World Premiere

 

New York, NY -March 28th, 2008- A Tribute to boxing legend Primo Carnera,the latest movie of the finest Italian contemporary director. The World Premiere at the Madison Square Garden in NYC : Pride, Strength, Poetry: the life of heavy weight legend Primo Carnera.

 

April 22nd 2008: for the first time in his career, Renzo Martinelli, possibly the finest contemporary Italian movie director, is bringing one of

his productions abroad. His latest movie, "Carnera -- The Walking Mountain" will be presented at a world premiere at the Madison Square Garden in New York, just days before its official release in Italy (April 30th 2008).

 

A native of the Friuli region of Northern Italy, Primo Carnera fought his way, through suffering and adversity, to the top of a glorious boxing career that brought him to win the world heavy-weight championship in 1933, at the Madison Square Garden.

 

Renzo Martinelli was bound to make a movie about the life story of Primo Carnera. Two of his earlier productions,"Porzus" and "Vajont", were set in the Friuli region, and he is known for the accurate and captivating historical reconstructions that his movies are always based on. Another of his earlier works, "Piazza delle Cinque Lune", is the shocking reconstruction of the kidnapping and murder of prominent Italian politician Aldo Moro by the Red Brigates.

 

Martinelli is a master of ethical cinema, a passionate scientist of the motion picture, able to turn historical reconstruction and contemporary

issues into poetry and music. Poetry and music that touch the souls of those who still look for true and deep meanings in the form of art that is cinema, without of course sacrificing entertainment and commercial success.

 

The world premiere of "Carnera -- The Walking Mountain" was conceived to deliver a memorable evening to movie, history, and boxing lovers alike.

 

For one night, the Madison Square Garden will be transformed into an arena of the past, where authentic memories of the Carnera legend -- thanks also to the presence of Carnera's son and daughter who will be guests of honor at the event -- will meet the great international cast of the movie, that includes Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham, Academy Award nominee Burt Young, Paul Sorvino, Kasia Smutniak, and above all the wonderful Andrea Iaia who, at 6'9", was able to stand up to the role of Primo Carnera. Many other international stars and celebrities (to be announced) will be present at the event.

 

The movie is co-produced by RTI and Martinelli Film Company International in association with Giuseppe Marra Communications and will be distributed in Italy by Medusa (www.medusa.it) and in the US by Epic Pictures (www.epic-pictures.com).

 

The appointment with the world premiere of CARNERA --The Walking Mountain is for *April 22nd 2008 at 7pm at the Madison Square Garden. *

 

Thanks to the support provided by Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia, admission to the premiere will be free of charge.

 

Sponsorships and support opportunities are still available and will guarantee, among other benefits, special reserved seating at the event and access to the post-screening gala reception.

 

WORLD PREMIERE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN - -  RSVP via website: www.thewalkingmountain.com

 

The ANNOTICO Reports Can be Viewed (With Archives*) on:

Italia USA: www.ItaliaUSA.com * [Formerly Italy at St Louis]

Italia Mia: www.ItaliaMia.com *

 

Annotico Email: annotico@earthlink.net