Agon: Deconstructing the Sports Hero Myth | Giulio Bertelli

Beyond the Podium: Giulio Bertelli’s “Agon” and the Techno-Realist Exploration ‍of Competition

Giulio ​Bertelli, son of Prada Group founders Miuccia Prada⁣ and Patrizio ‍bertelli, isn’t following⁤ the‌ expected path. While his lineage places him within one of the world’s most influential ⁤fashion empires, Bertelli has forged his⁣ own creative identity, culminating in the release of his ⁣debut feature film, Agon. This isn’t a ‍celebrity side-project; it’s a ⁣deeply considered, visually arresting work that challenges conventional sports‌ narratives and‍ delves ​into ⁢the philosophical undercurrents of competition, performance, and the very nature of reality.

Agon isn’t easily categorized.The film centers on three female athletes – a judoka, a fencer, and a shooter ​- as⁤ they train for the fictional 2024⁤ ludoj Games.However, to label it simply a sports film would be a disservice. it’s a hybrid, a blurring of documentary realism and stylized abstraction, a “techno-realism” as Bertelli himself describes it. The film’s aesthetic is deliberately unsettling, oscillating between intimate observation and dreamlike sequences, prompting viewers to ⁢question what they are seeing and, more importantly, why.

From Architecture⁢ to Sailboats ‍to Cinema: A​ Unique Creative Trajectory

Bertelli’s journey ​to filmmaking is anything but linear, a testament to a restless intellect and a commitment to following ​his passions.His initial academic pursuits led​ him to the Architectural Association in London, a renowned institution known for its⁣ theoretical approach to ‌design. “I’ve thought about making films⁢ since high school,” Bertelli explains.​ “There was a moment when I realized that there was an individual director behind a film, and that interested me more then the actors. I understood that cinema was the graphic ⁣or visual‍ manifestation of a thought, an interpretation of the world going on around you.”

Though, the path wasn’t direct. A desire for hands-on experience and a break from intellectual circles led him to the​ world ‌of competitive sailing. For over a decade, Bertelli excelled at the highest levels, working with prominent ‍teams like Luna Rossa‌ (Italy’s America’s Cup challenger) and collaborating with seasoned sailors like Giovanni Soldini. This period wasn’t a detour, but a crucial phase of progress. He established a research and design studio, applying his analytical skills and technological understanding to the challenges of nautical engineering. This experience honed his problem-solving abilities and instilled a deep gratitude for precision and innovation – qualities that are strikingly evident in Agon.

“I was interested in working with my hands and the technological developments in a ⁢world that ⁤I was familiar with, for family reasons,” Bertelli ⁣notes. “It started as a hobby and then became a ⁣professional career.” This unconventional background, far removed from conventional film school training, informs his unique viewpoint.

Deconstructing the Olympic Ideal: Sport, War, and the Pursuit of Excellence

Agon doesn’t shy away from complex themes. The film opens with a provocative ‌quote from Pierre de Coubertin, a co-founder of the modern Olympic Games, linking sport to warfare. This ⁤isn’t a ⁢cynical indictment of athletics, but a historical acknowledgement of its origins.”The 1896 Olympics opened with a shooting event-de Coubertin’s sport-which used to be simply part of⁤ army officers’ training and practice for combat,” Bertelli explains. “Later, it‍ became a competitive sport. I am‌ attracted to the relationship between sport and a certain abstraction of violence.”

He emphasizes that the modern perception of ​sport as a purely positive force is a relatively recent development. Agon doesn’t ignore this history; instead, it interrogates it, exploring the inherent tension between the pursuit of ⁣excellence and the underlying drive for dominance. ⁣The choice of judo, fencing, and shooting ⁢- all combat sports – is purposeful, serving ‍as a‍ visual and thematic anchor for this exploration.

A Film for​ a New Generation?

Bertelli acknowledges⁣ that Agon may not appeal to everyone.⁤ Its unconventional structure and philosophical depth demand active engagement from the viewer. However, he expresses optimism that it will resonate with younger audiences.

“Maybe it won’t appeal to⁣ everyone, as I would have liked. But ⁣I have the ⁤feeling that young‌ viewers especially will understand it,” he says. ​ this belief stems from his own perspective, shaped by a lack of traditional cinematic experience.”Maybe it’s because I don’t have a ‌long history [in film]. I haven’t worked in cinema,and my⁤ point of view has remained‌ that of my 2