An Ear for Films: A Program of Events with Award-Winning Live Sound Director Maricetta Lombardo (22-24 April 2025)

An Ear for Films: A Program of Events with Award-Winning Live Sound Director Maricetta Lombardo

Join us on April 24 for a conversation with Maricetta Lombardo, the most recognized live sound director in Italian cinema. In the live sound category, she is the recipient of the highest number (five) of Nastri d’Argento awards in the history of the oldest film award in Italy, and three David di Donatello Awards (the Italian Oscar Award). After studying fine arts and theater (the latter with renowned writer Andrea Camilleri), she received a degree at the prestigious Experimental Center for Film in Rome. Since the late 1990s, she has worked with major Italian directors, from Stefano Sollima to Leonardo Di Costanzo, Mario Martone, the D’Innocenzo brothers, and, last but certainly not least, Matteo Garrone for practically all his films (Gomorra, Pinocchio, Dogman, Tale of Tales all won her awards over the years). A curious mind and engaged thinker, Maricetta blends technological expertise, aesthetic choices and human sensitivity in her work in unique ways. She will also share her knowledge in the course of a master class and in-class talk.

1. PUBLIC CONVERSATION: Listening to Films
Thur. April 24   6pm   SBUS (School of Business) 101 RESERVE A SEAT

2. MASTER CLASS (as part of “Women in Sound” series)
Wed. April 23   2:00-3:30pm   SCM Recording Studio (Rm 2007)

3. TALK IN THE “ITALIANS AMERICANS IN FILM” CLASS (ITAL 262)
Tue. April 22  12pm  DH279

For more info: Event’s webpage

This is an interdisciplinary inter-college organized and sponsored by the Inserra Endowed Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies  in collaboration with the Italian Program (Department of World Languages and Cultures). In partnership with the School of Communication and Media (BA Program in Recording Arts and Production), and the Cali School of Music at Montclair State University.

Students’ reactions and comments:

“Maricetta Lombardo’s authenticity and humbleness will stay with me from this event. She was apart of an Oscar-nominated film but remains a very humble woman despite her successes. I learned that live sound is a very important aspect in film and can set the tone for a scene. It can produce anticipation, tension, or pure joy. This will definitely change the way I will watch films going forward” (Treonna)

“I won’t watch a movie in the same way ever again! I’ll be wondering how live sound was captured. Funny enough I went to the theaters at the end of last week for the 20th anniversary for Pride and Prejudice. And at certain points I wondered whether certain sounds were recorded live during shooting or were added in post production” (Abbey Brock)

The stories that Maricetta Lombardo shared will stay with me: those about the struggles that she had to go through at the beginning of her path were very motivating for me. I learned that you have to work hard for your future, especially as a woman. Of course, I learned more about live sound, and I will pay more attention to sound and background noise while watching movies now” (Abbey)

What I am going to take it from the master class is her determination to work in the film industry in the belief that if one keeps focusing, good things will come out of quality work. I adored the fact that she says she owes everything to school because I do too. I related to her and I am really glad she came to speak to us” (Giuliana)