‘A santanotte

One of the only three known extant features directed by Elvira Notari, Italy’s first and most prolific female film director, ‘A santanotte is a traditional Neopolitan melodrama about a downtrodden young woman forced to marry another man to save the one she loves. With its documentary-like exterior scenes of Naples and familiar stock characters, the film is representative of Notari’s oeuvre, and was a big hit for Dora Films, the family-owned production company that she ran with her husband Nicola.

Restoration Credits

Restored by CSC – Cineteca Nazionale in collaboration with Associazione Orlando and George Eastman Museum, from a black and white controtipe preserved by CSC – Cineteca Nazionale and a coloured nitrate print provided by George Eastman Museum.