Viva is alive and well and a little soggy in a faraway place. But more of that next posting. Quick mention of Lincoln Center's annual (since 2001) Italian season of new film that opened last night. Today there's a chance to catch the 50min doc about production designer Dante Ferretti - and like his frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese - if he doesn't inspire you to keep the magic of cinema alive then nothing will I guess. There's 'social realism' in the fest but it's a fairly well-balanced programme. For some, the latest (and as you'd expect gorgiously photographed) Olmi film (if you've never seen his Il Posto then your life is just that much poorer) The Cardboard Village may be a bit 'heart on sleeve' as with another Fest offering Terrafirma. But both films keep the tradition of Italian cinematic political ebullience alive harking back to the days when the government even objected to Umberto D. Opening night pic from the always entertaining and somewhat melancholic Ferzan Ozpetek keeps alive Italian cinema's 'magical realism' and it's most certainly not a disappointment. Missed what sounds a good bet The Legend of Kaspar Hauser but did catch the innnovatively simple Arrival of Mr Wang. And it's blackly comedic political incorrectness (left) is refreshing if very disturbing. =-§//^°