ESCAPING ELSEWHERE (“ALTROVE”), WITH A FILM OR WITH A PERFUME.
Here are some cinematographic impressions to describe Altrove, one of Acqua dell’Elba’s masculine fragrances.
These days, the Elba Film Festival is the main star in the alleyways of Marciana Marina, with film makers from all over the world casually strolling by. This is the reason we decided to attempt describing the personality of Altrove, one of Acqua dell’Elba’s masculine fragrances, by using some cinematographic impressions.
The first one is a given: Montecristo, the island which inspired the fragrance with its mysterious appeal, connected to natural values and a stark authenticity, it was the place which gave the name to a character boldly embodying its values. Edmond Dantes, the Count of Montecristo, has been very successful both on television and at the cinema through interpretations by men who managed to convey the various facets of his appeal, enriched by the treasure hidden on the island: the innocence of Andrea Giordana, the ruggedness of Gerard Depardieu, the intransigent spirituality of the same Jim Caviezel who interpreted Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson’s famous Passion.
Another story about islands and the search for liberty and justice, which was a worldwide success in two different cinematographic versions, is the one told by Henri Charriere’s autobiographic novel “Papillon”. We have all identified ourselves in the desire to escape, to go “Altrove”, “elsewhere”, felt by the character interpreted at the cinema by Steve McQueen in the movie from the ‘70s, as well as more recently by Charlie Hunnam. In both versions of the movie, it almost feels possible to breathe in the scent of the sea as it reaches the rocky clifftop from which Papillon boldly takes his spring towards the freedom represented by the waves of the ocean.
Another cinematographic fragrance enclosed in a bottle of Altrove is that of the herbs, flowers and woods carried by the wind which constantly combed the hills forming the backdrop for the tormented love story between Catherine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, the novel by Charlotte Brönte which also inspired a very successful song by Kate Bush as well as other films featuring exceptional actors capable of conveying the raw, natural appeal of the main protagonist. Throughout the years, the natural magnetism of Heathcliff was embodied by personalities such as Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes and Alessio Boni.
Because cinema is always capable of transporting us elsewhere, and Altrove, Acqua dell’Elba’s masculine fragrance, is capable of evoking atmospheres and protagonists which encapsulate the most authentic emotions, conveying them with a freshness which is enticing. Just like for other protagonists of immortal stories narrated on the big screen, actors who know how to excite entire audiences with the briefest of cameos like Sean Connery at the end of Robin Hood alongside Kevin Costner, or through an Oscar-worthy interpretation lasting throughout a whole, complex and tormented movie, like Daniel Day Lewis in “There Will Be Blood”.