We welcome and welcome our dear friend Vittorio De Agrò
"Bedlam Club" is a novel written by Davide Conti , published on 15 July 2021 da WriteUp Books New edizione.
Synopsis:
What happens when a mismatched group of provincial scoundrels decide to put on a film club? This is Boccaccio's frame to tell what will happen inside a garage in the heart of the endless Agro Pontino, heroic comic seat of the "very prestigious Bedlam Club". Between the shelves with tomato preserves and an old Ritmo60, this strange circle of friends will periodically get together to watch movies, and get ideas and inspirations to combine all kinds of messes. Mentor and spiritual guide of the club will be Nicola Pozzarelli, "Cinema expert as well as fish counter of Sigma di Cori Supermarket". The adventures of the shabby club are also an opportunity to remember some of the most exciting and fun moments of the films that have made the history of cinema in recent decades. An unmissable novel in the library of any self-respecting cinephile.
Review:
“… Collection of humorous-caricature sketches set in the Pontine countryside?
Paradoxical and unusual film review at the Fight Club?
Whether giving a gender label to this text is complex, when not
impossible…”
As the author himself writes with the right amount of self-irony, it is difficult to categorize, insert his novel "Bedlam Club" in a precise and punctual literary genre.
“Bedlam Club” may initially appear as a crazy novel, grungy, dispersive, visionary and vaguely irritating on the dramaturgical level.
At least the reader could experience these feelings after reading the first chapters characterized by the extreme use of narrative "no sense".
But as the popular proverb says "The appearances deceive", in fact Davide Conti, on his debut as a writer, he courageously bets on his creativity and profound cinematic knowledge by testing the reader's patience and above all the rational part.
"A literary bet" undoubtedly risky, but which in the long run we can consider overall won.
Every page of "Bedlam Club" should be read, reread, understood and made one's own by descending with a little’ of patience in the right reading "mood".
"Bedlam Club" is on the one hand the story of a grotesque , as surreal as sincere friendship and on the other hand it shows us how love for cinema can change a person's life by making them different if not even humanly better.
"Bedlam Club" is the name of the film club founded by Nicola Pozzarelli "cinema expert and fish counter at the Sigma di Cori Supermarket" and by the protagonist / narrator of this story .
"Bedlam" is also the name of an old asylum, highlighting how the combination of madness and creativity in cinema or more generally in art often represents the pivot of any creation.
Because you don't really need a pinch of madness in founding a film club and recruiting a bizarre and varied group as members?
The reader does not try to find a red thread within the story , but rather allow yourself the pleasure of listening, imagine the debates among the members of the cine club, one more amusing as it is unlikely than the other.
“Bedlam Club” is also a tribute , an actor of love of the author at the cinema or if you prefer to your favorite films told and explained with naive and at the same time romantic eyes.
“Bedlam Club” we like to define him as a nice guy, ironic "film manual" in the form of a novel enriched by a strong dose of humanity and sensitivity of the author.
Who loves cinema, sociability , never as in the last two years reduced to a minimum, will not be able not to read and above all wish to be a member of the "Bedlam Club" cine club.
Vittorio De Agrò