August Wilson’s national renown and profile have reached new heights in recent years, as celebrities like Denzel Washington have brough the Century Cycle to the big screen. However, his legacy achieved a new milestone last year when “Jitney” made its debut in Vicenza, Italy.
The effort was the first-ever Italian translation and stage performance of Wilson’s 1982 work and spearheaded by award-winning Italian director Renzo Carbonera. On Oct. 30, the filmmaker visited the University Library System (ULS) to discuss what it took to bring the project to life.
The event featured recorded excerpts from the Italian production, which illuminated contemporary social and cultural commentary on challenges like increased immigration and subsequent racism in Italy. Carbonera also participated in a Q&A with Chris Rawson, a retired Pitt English professor, theater critic and early champion of Wilson’s work.
Lina Insana, Pitt’s director of Italian graduate studies and lead organizer of Pittsburgh’s Italian Film Festival USA, has long been familiar with Rawson and his efforts to amplify Wilson’s work. She also first introduced Carbonera to the famed Pittsburgh playwright in 2019 when she invited Carbonera to be the film festival’s closing night director. Upon returning to Italy, Carbonera was committed to honoring Wilson and worked with the Teatro Astra in Vicenza to make “Jitney” his first play production.
Kara Elyse Henderson, photography by Aimee Obidzinski