Dario Argento and Sir Christopher Frayling at the Sergio Leone tribute in London.(Photo: Mark Mawston)
In honour of what would have been Sergio Leone’s 80th
birthday, Sir Christopher Frayling, the late director’s internationally
acclaimed biographer, hosted a celebration of the legenary filmmaker’s work at
the Italian Cultural Institute in London on Wednesday evening.
Sir Christopher, who has penned the foreword to Dave
Worrall and Lee Pfeiffer’s upcoming book ‘The Westerns of Clint Eastwood’,
invited Dave, along with Cinema Retro contributors, and authors in their own
right, Matthew Field and Howard Hughes, and photographer Mark Mawston to this
private tribute.
Posters from Sergio Leone’s movies adorned the walls,
providing a fitting backdrop to the evening, which began with a talk on Leone’s
career by Frayling (illustrated with a slideshow) followed by an on-stage
interview with famed Italian director Dario Argento, who collaborated with
Leone on the screenplay for Once Upon A
Time in the West.
Dario Argento and Cinema Retro's Dave Worrall. (Photo: Paul Lawton)
After an entertaining Q&A with an audience that
included actor Robert Rietty (who did voice-over work for Leone) and production
designer Sir Ken Adam, the guests were treated to a live performance of music
from Leone’s movies by Paolo Castelluccia. His arrangements were amazing,
especially as he and his partner were limited to the use of a piano, keyboards
and trumpet, the highlight being from Once
Upon A Time in America, which had the 150+ audience captivated.
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"When the music stops..." an unforgettable evening in tribute to Sergio Leone has ended.(Photo: Mark Mawston)
Cinema Retro's Mark Mawston, Dave Worrall, Matthew Field and Howard Hughes. (Photo: Paul Lawton)
Later, guests mingled with Sir Christopher and Dario
Argento, and enjoyed a selection of Italian wine, dishes of spaghetti and
re-fried beans – what else would one expect at a party celebrating the late,
great director of Italian-made westerns? Retro’s Dave Worrall, who is an avid
follower of Leone’s work, had to come clean and admit to Dario Argento that The Five Man Army, which Argento wrote, was one of his
favourite Italian westerns. Argento remarked,
“I am honoured that you treat me in the same capacity as the great man
himself!â€, and then gave our esteemed publisher a huge bear hug!
Sponsored by airline Alitalia, the exhibition of
posters, which are part of Sir Christopher Frayling’s private collection, will
be on display at the Institute, which is in Belgrave Square, until the 17th
of May.