| The film and the legend |
This original Ladin film is the result of the collaboration between Susy Rottonara (from La Ila in Badia valley), Roland Verra (from Urtijëi in Gherdëina valley) -head of the Ladin schools in the province of Bolzano-and Hans Peter Karbon (from S.Cristina in Gherdëina valley) and has its source in a deep-rooted passion for the mountains and for the tradition of Ladin legends. The story in the film is based on one of the most fascinating and complex legendary tales in Ladin dolomitic tradition, that is the legend about the mythic Reign of Fanes. Today Fanes is referred to a wonderful plateau surrounded by imposing mountains between Val Badia and Ampëz and is undoubtedly one of the most beloved walking routes by mountaineers. In the legend Fanes isn't only referred to this area, but to a larger, not clearly defined one because of the many conquests achieved by the people living there, called Fanes too. The film has its roots in the classic version of the legend told in the Ladin folk tales and shows a symbolic-mystic revision mixed with realistic elements to achieve specific The critical analysis of this very interesting legend focuses on the missing of direct written sources. In fact this legend was told orally for centuries and consequently got under the influence of various cultural elements. Wolff's writings are based on a collection of oral sources in Ladin dolomitic vallies and show the presence of stratified cultural traditions, especially the influence of medieval courtly lyrics. Therefore studies on the legend are quite complicated as a direct philological analysis can't be made because of the missing of written primary sources. Dealing with this tale isn't possible without considering the various hypothesis expressed on it by different critics, conscious of being examining a legendary and not a historical plot. The plot shown in the film represents the central theme of the longing for increasing power of the king of Fanes, who spoils human relations, causes the fall of his realm and even the death of his daughter, the warrior-princess Dolasila. The figures are in part realistic -the king and the queen of Fanes, Dolasila and Lujanta, Ey de Net, the prince of the Cajutés and many extras- and in part supernatural -the sorcerer Spina de Mul, the witch Tsicuta, the Mjanines (a kind of nymphs), the Salvans (wild people),the gnomes and the flaming eagle. |
 |
|
|
| FANES – The Musical Poem of the Dolomites Premiere in the year of the declaration of the Dolomites UNESCO world natural heritage The poem is by the Ladin author Roland Verra and the original music by the Ladin musician Susy Rottonara. The author’ s voice tells of the mythic happenings of the legend of Fanes written in 32 lyrics with an emphasized dramatic approach underlined with archaic melodies sung by the choir –in the role of the commenting choir in the greek tragedy– and by the soprano voice of the female protagonist princess Dolasila, who is obliged by the King of Fanes to give up her love to the enemy prince Ey de Net. The premiere of the Musical Poem Fanes was set in the fascinating scenary of the Lake of Sompunt under the wild rocks of the Gardenazza Dolomite mountains in Alta Badia on the 11th of August 2009, with the participation of many local actors. The fall of peacefully people of Fanes is caused by the longing for increasing power of the last king of Fanes, who forces his daughter, princess Dolasila, to fight against the neighbour people with bewitched weapons. Dolasila wears a precious gem called Rajëta, that is the symbol of power. Wicked supernatural figures like the sorcerer Spina de Mul make enchantments in the dark, opposing the harmony with the nature represented by the Queen of Fanes. The battles of the Fanes against the enemies are emphasized with special lightening effects, whereas the witch Zicuta and the “salvans” (gnomes) guardians of the Aurona treasure appear in front of a rock in the wood near the lake. Dolasila dies to save her people and her twin sister Lujanta leads the Queen and the survived Fanes in the underground reign of the marmots. The prophecy of the promised time by the Queen, in which the Fanes will be living in peace and prosperity, vanishes as the “Ganes” (nymphs) appear in the silence of the final scene and make everything seem a memory lost in a dream. The experimental and complex work is characterized by a strong evocative power and symbolic elements in a dynamic sequence of the scenes with special lightening effects on the lake in harmony with the magic atmosphere of the “genius loci”, the unique nature of the Dolomites’ mountains. Pictures of the premiere: see under “Cultural Association Fanes” |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
