Open Road

Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi

Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
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Works as film critic and journalist who covers stories about culture and sustainability. With a degree in Political Sciences, a Master’s in Screenwriting & Film Production, and studies at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, Chiara has been working in the press since 2003. Italian by blood, British by upbringing, fond of Japanese culture since the age of 7, once a New Yorker always a New Yorker, and an avid traveller, Chiara collaborates with international magazines and radio-television networks. She is also a visual artist, whose eco-works connect to her use of language: the title of each painting is inspired by the materials she upcycles on canvas. Her ‘Material Puns’ have so far been exhibited in four continents, across ten countries. She is a dedicated ARTivist, donating her works to the causes and humanitarians she supports, and is Professor of Phenomenology of Contemporary Arts at Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan.
Works as film critic and journalist who covers stories about culture and sustainability. With a degree in Political Sciences, a Master’s in Screenwriting & Film Production, and studies at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, Chiara has been working in the press since 2003. Italian by blood, British by upbringing, fond of Japanese culture since the age of 7, once a New Yorker always a New Yorker, and an avid traveller, Chiara collaborates with international magazines and radio-television networks. She is also a visual artist, whose eco-works connect to her use of language: the title of each painting is inspired by the materials she upcycles on canvas. Her ‘Material Puns’ have so far been exhibited in four continents, across ten countries. She is a dedicated ARTivist, donating her works to the causes and humanitarians she supports, and is Professor of Phenomenology of Contemporary Arts at Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan.

‘Pokémon Concierge,’ The Series That Explores Self-Discovery

The stop motion animation series Pokémon Concierge — directed by Iku Ogawa and written by Harumi Doki — provides delightful food for thought. The four episodes, available on Netflix, bring back the Pokémon characters to fuel a constructive path that will forge the coming-of-age of the protagonist. Pokémon Concierge follows Haru, a young girl who…

‘Rose,’ A Sensitive Look Into The Perception Of Schizophrenia

The film, written and directed by Niels Arden Oplev, begins with a beautiful scene depicting the character of Inger, played by Sofie Gråbøl, combing her hair. This moment evokes Marina Abramović’s Art must be beautiful, Artist must be beautiful. In 1975, this apparently innocuous gesture was used by the performance artist as a tool to…

‘One Life,’ Anthony Hopkins Revives The British Schindler

The story about British humanitarian Nicholas Winton lands the silver screen, through the  biographical drama that had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and its European premiere at the 2023 London Film Festival. One Life retraces the true story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a young London broker who during the months…

‘Call Me Dancer,’ A Thought-Provoking Dance Doc With A Rare View

“In India people think there’s no future in dancing” this is how Manish introduces us to his story. He further adds how those who come from a humble background, like himself, consider dancing a hobby for rich people and not a profession that can allow a livelihood. The documentary Call Me Dancer, directed by Leslie Shampaine…

The Last Tourist : Exclusive Interview with Director Tyson Sadler

We are all hodophiles, i.e. people who love to travel. But not all of us explore the countries we visit in a responsible way. The piercing documentary The Last Tourist, directed by Tyson Sadler — that he co-wrote with editor Jesse Mann — discloses the unsustainable consequences that are caused by mass tourism. Among them…

A Look Inside The Bold Artistic Freedom Of Contemporary Portuguese Cinema

Portugal, land of fados, azulejos, cork, pastéis de nata and trailblazers. The Portuguese have exploration running through their veins, as attested by Vasco da Gama — the first European to reach India by sea — and Ferdinand Magellan, who initiated the first circumnavigation of the globe. It doesn’t surprise that contemporary filmmakers like to venture…

‘Leave The World Behind,’ A Sagaciously Apocalyptic Drama That Slams American Society / Netflix Review

Sam Esmail, best known for directing Mr. Robot, has the distinguishing trait of tackling the themes of alienation and American society. In his latest psychological thriller, Leave the World Behind, he adapts the eponymous novel by Rumaan Alam and brings it to the screen with gyrating visuals and piercing social critique. The story focuses on…

‘A Page of Madness,’ An Avant-garde Silent Film Exploring Apperception / Japan Society Review

The digital reproduction of the 35mm 1926 Japanese silent-experimental-horror film directed by Teinosuke Kinugasa, is preserved by the George Eastman Museum. A Page of Madness is part of the Taisho Roman: Fever Dreams of the Great Rectitude at Japan Society and will be screened on December 15th at 6pm. The six-film series running from December 9th until the…

‘Coup de chance,’ Woody Allen’s First Foreign Language Film Is Fantastique

Presented at the 80th Venice Film Festival, Woody Allen’s latest work is his first French-language motion picture and represents the realisation of a dream for him. The filmmaker said: “I would have really liked to be a European director, perhaps Swedish or Italian. I finally managed to have the opportunity to make my first film…

‘Fallen Leaves,’ A Deadpan Comedy Delivers Social Criticism And Homages Film History

The latest work by the award-winning filmmaker Aki Kaurismäki won the Jury Prize at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, and was chosen as the Finnish entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards. Fallen Leaves is a simple tale of romance between two misfits who have to overcome several hurdles to finally…