MAESTRAS QUE ABUSARON DE SUS ALUMNOS

Hey, it's Maria and welcome to the Maria Liberati show. You're weekly pause from the rush of life. Today we are stepping into a conversation that blends creativity, care, and the quiet beauty of human connection. I'm joined by director Andrea DeSica. Yes, the grandson of the legendary Vittorio DeSica whose film shaped generations and taught the world how powerful a simple honest story can be. Andrea carries that legacy forward with a voice that is entirely his own. He's also going to talk to us about his latest project, his latest movie. And with us also, Ijuvan Wander, the founder of Destination, Sitters, a service built on trust, compassion, and the belief that family should be able to travel with ease and peace of mind. So if you are traveling not only with your kids but your fur babies, you want it to hear what Ijuvan Wander has to say. Whether you're a parent, a traveler, a storyteller, or someone who just loves hearing how passion becomes purpose, this episode is for you. So take a breath, settle in. Maybe pour yourself something warm or cool depending on what part of the world you are in. Let's begin. You know some filmmakers build worldwide spectacle, others build with silence and shadows with a delicate tension of what's felt but not said. Andrea DeSica belongs to that second kind. The artist who invites us into a mood and memory, a question we didn't know we were carrying. Andrea, thank you so much for being here today. Thank you for this beautiful summary. Yes, it is such an honor. I know you're here at the 25th anniversary of New Italian cinema, right in New York City. Yeah, open roads and Lincoln Center. Yes, at Lincoln Center and you're promoting your, is this your latest film, The Eyes of Others? Yeah, this is my third feature. I already been here nine years ago for my first feature which was called Children of the Night. So it's good to be back. Yes. We're glad to have you here also. So I wanted to ask you a little bit about this film, The Eyes of Others. What was the first emotion that they gave you? Because you wrote this, you wrote the script also, right? You directed it for me. Yeah, I was scripted with Gianni Romoli and Silvan Attama and the very first vision and emotion about this story was because I was sailing the Isola di Ponce Islands. Yes. I played very well known by Romans, but not so touristical, not known by the others. And of course, of mine told me the story about this Marquis who owned the island, because they are known. And so I could watch his villa which was abandoned. And listening about the story about fascination, power and violence on this island was like the idea in my mind that came, my mind was to make a nightmare under the sun of noon, under the daylight. Uh-huh. Yes. So from this first intuition, I started to write this clean play making researches about the true life of these Marquis. And so it's based on a true story? Yes, based on true story. It was a very famous Margar scandal of the 70, which was the little because the Gazadistampa Margar, which actually happened in Rome, but one of the stages, one of the arenas of this story was this beautiful island. And so I decided to set it up all the story on an island. Oh, well. So where did you, did you film it on the Isola di Ponce? Yeah, we shot it on the Isola di Ponce and the other island close to that. And then we moved in Toscani in Argentario because it's the same, I do say, the same plants, the same layout, layout, layout. Yes. So we mixed to create this illusion to be on a single island, which at the beginning is the place of the dream and then became prison. So I unfortunately, I didn't get to see the film yet, but I am planning to see it. But I understand there's like a 1960ish type of tone to it. What guided you to choose to do it that way? Or was that when it occurred or was it in the 70s? Yeah, yeah, yeah. The actual period of the true story was between the 1960 and 1970. So I was through to that timeline. And I had a big, like just small parts of this decade starting from the spring of the 1960s. That went to summer '63, then up '67. And then the last nine of the '69. And so the martyr happens when the 60s and the dream is over and the 70s with all his violence has started in Italy as well here in the States. Oh, well. And I noticed that you use silence and stillness a lot in powerful ways. What role do they play in your storytelling? Silence and stillness. It's that they play a role. Yeah, yeah. It's, as you said very well before, it's an approach very audiovisual. Silence actually is with the sound of the sea. It's full of sound of the sea. That's something very charming, bringing us this tragic Greek atmosphere. And then the presence, constant presence of the sea, let's feel, let you feel being imprisoned inside the place. Yeah. So the sound has got a strong role in the movie. And the beautiful photography of the film is coming from the golden age of Italian cinema, you know, the 60s. Yes, the 60s. Yeah, but what I wanted to make is that behind this surface we are going through the hidden character, the hidden identity of Italy, which is much darker controversial. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Yes, so they hidden the history in the 60s also, that's much more controversial. Yeah, the 60s is something that is very well known, even here in the States, and it's something that everybody loves about Italy. Yes. Even when foreigners are coming to Italy, they are trying to find out something of that. Yes. And that's what you need to do the twisted story of that image of that memory. Oh, very interesting. Yes, because it doesn't exist when you go to Italy. It's the 60s if people are looking for that. It just isn't there anymore. So it's interesting how you created that in the film. So how does Italian cinema past and present live in your work? Does it influence your work at all? Yeah, this movie is influenced particularly by my grandfather. There's a particular character, which I love to think that she's coming from one of his movies, like "Mario Dallesteilo", "Yes, and it's sent tomorrow." And yeah, "Mani Finns" by also Miguel Angel Antonio Nio, and "La censura", which was based the first half of the film "Is on an Island", and it's about the sense of loneliness. And so, yeah, I spent a lot of time watching Italian films of the Times, which are my particular opinion the best of the world to see ever. Yes, you are absolutely correct. They are. That leads to my next question. You come from a family deeply connected to cinema, your grandfather, your uncle. I know, but you've created, you shaped your own path. So how have you managed to create your own path? And obviously, my family influenced me in the terms of the love for movies and storytelling since I was a small kid. My grandfather was an actor/director of a singer. My grandmother, she was also a great actress, Maria Mercader. My father was a composer of a film's course. He also had been nominated for the Emmy for the Film Seaguntings Garden, which was directed by the film. My mother is a very well-known producer. My cousin is also an actor/director. So you're affected for sure by all this environment. Definitely. I didn't realize it. But all everybody in your family well, that's wonderful. Yes. So I'm sure you had no choice but to. But I said, when I wanted to make my own path. So I hope if the audience is going to see my works, I'm speaking about my first Finchie Dr. of the Night or even a series that it, which is what's called "baby", which is a Netflix. They can find maybe something that is just, I hope, unique and related to my own world. Yes. So the last question I have for you, when people, after people see your film in the eyes of others, what do you hope they come away with when they leave the theater? Is there anything? It's a movie without Katarsis. So the audience will be shocked. I hope that it's nothing that let me escape them from the theater, but they will bring home and elaborate during the night time. Maybe it's a stay with you longer that the duration of the film itself. Yes, yes. They will be scared. That's wonderful. Andrea, thank you so much for taking the time out of the music schedule. Much success with the film and with the festival also. And I hope to see you in the future with my director. I hope to see you next time. Yes, me too. Good bye, see you. Ciao. Bye. Bye. Bye, bye. And my special guest today is Yvonne Wunder. She is the managing director of destination sitters. And we have her on today because you know, Summer is quickly approaching. And a lot of us do like to travel with their pets. I know I do. So she's going to give us some helpful tips on how to travel with your pets. Yvonne, thank you so much for being here. Thank you for having me. So what are, I guess, some handy things people should take with them if they are traveling with their pets. So I think that you need to think ahead with how long your trip is, where you're going. Once the dog is in the car, you need to consider or dogs comfort safety. And you think about maybe ever two or three hours to stop let the dogs out walk around, maybe take a pot and break. And then when you're traveling with your pet, what you just need to do is like I call them like a doggy travel bag. And in the travel bag, you want to make sure you have enough water, a collapsible bowl, a leash, putty, poop bags, right? For their, they stop somewhere. You don't want to just leave the waste. Yeah. Treats for the car. Maybe if you're on a rest stop somewhere and you, their behaviors, you know, appropriate, then you reward them with a treat. Make sure that you've packed all of the food for, you know, if it's a several times a day, whatever their food schedule is, stay on track with that. Right. And then meds, any medications that animals are on, right, their vaccination records, just in case something happens when you're, you know, out on your travel and you have to go to an emergency vet, at least you have their medical records. Almost like a child. Yes. You can, you know, present them in the doctors, you know, that all their vaccinations are stuff are current and if they need to talk to you, whatever their current doctor is, depending on the severity of it is, those are things that I think that, traveling with your dog just need a little bit more thought. It's like traveling with your kids. Exactly. Exactly. The other thing I just want to mention that people don't realize is different states in the US have different laws about traveling with your dog in the car. So you need to check out the laws. I know there are certain states that you can't have the dog sitting in front with you. They have to be in the back and there's all kinds of things laws. So that was just something I was going to mention, but it's not something to bring, but people should be aware of that too. 100% and if dog like, if you have a pickup truck, the dogs can't be loosened the back of the pickup truck. They have to be on a rail with a harness and stuff. So I think, and even when you're driving with your dogs in the car, you might consider putting them in a harness, putting them in some sort of a travel carrier. So they're comfortable and feel secure and not just running around the car because that's the help from for you or the pet. Exactly. Exactly. So what about, I understand there are a lot of these luxury pet hotels popping up where they are. They're already. So what are there lots of hotels out there now that will allow you to bring your dog? So many hotels now are pet friendly post COVID. And so, you know, you can look online, you can search for dog friendly hotels. Once you find a hotel that is dog friendly, you know, you might want to call ahead and see if there's extra fees for the pet. What are their requirements for, you know, traveling with your pets? Some hotels require the dogs to be kenneled if you're not in the room. So hotels require you to hire a pet sitter. And that's where we come in because we'll send a babysitter to your hotel, a dog sitter to your hotel room. So watch the dog take them for a walk, you know, potty breaks, different hotels also, you know, like they don't want housekeeping walking in. You know, could frighten the dogs, scare the housekeeper, get thick, embarking. They don't want to disturb the other guests, right? So you need to consider and think about what that specific hotel you're going to and what their accommodations for that pet are so that you know, you meet them before you get there. And then you're scrambling like I didn't know. Exactly. The other thing too is, you know, think about keeping your dog in their routine with breakfast lunch, dinner, whatever it is, how you, you know, you feed your dog, you know, the walks, they're, you know, they're very similar to children. They have a set, you know, calendar in their little hour clock in their head, like four o'clock. My dogs are knocking on me going, hey, it's dendin time, you know, feed me. So there's no difference when you're traveling. Right. You might consider, you know, bringing, if they have a blankie or they have something that's a comfort to them, maybe it's one of their, you know, stuffies or a baby that they, that they chew on. And maybe bring a new toy or a sniff mat or something that's, you know, intellectually stimulating that they have to, you know, search for a treat. These are all things that you can, you know, surprise them with with if you are traveling with your pets. Exactly. And then, you know, traveling by plane is a whole nother. Yes. That's a whole other thing. Yes. Yes. I don't think a lot of it. Yeah. Yeah. I was going to say, and I don't, I don't think there are a lot of airlines they do allow a dog on a dog or cat on a plane or there. Oh, you'd be surprised a lot of airlines do. You just have to book an advance. There's no reason for it. They require like pet carriers or like soft, soft, sighted carriers, ventilation. They have to be able to spin under the seat in front of you. So that's what they call smaller dogs. You know, they have to be able to turn around in their carrier and stuff. So each airlines has different requirements to, you know, actually bring a dog on a plane and obviously service dogs are exempt from not because they're service dogs, but exactly. You know, as far as I would just say, you know, plus you have to go through TSA and all that kind of stuff. So, yeah. And I believe if you go through TSA, you actually have to take your pet out of the pet carrier and go through, you know, the metal detector and stuff like that. But obviously with planes and things like that, just call ahead and find out what the airlines say. And now they have other airlines out there that you can actually travel. Right. I just got an email from a company that is like a pet friendly airline. And it's specifically for people to travel with their pets. They have charter flights. Is that right? I didn't get to read it yet. But yeah, there's like bark. I think it's bark us or bark airlines and that was it. I think retriever airlines. Uh huh. Oh, well, even jet sweet, which is a smaller kind of like a pedal jumper, you can actually take your dog on the plane with you, you have to buy their stuff. Uh huh. And I think I think their one is their restrictions is like one person one dog. Um, so, oh well, I didn't realize there were that many airlines out there. That's great. Do you ever, do people ever travel with their cats? Do they, do you ever get requests to do sitting for cats? No. Not in 17 years. And that will do it. But exactly. I'm just curious. I think cats are, they're more independent. And I think it's a little bit easier to leave them behind. It's easier to figure out, you know, how to have somebody to take care of them at home. So, uh, also, you know, which different hotels, different hotel change have like weight restrictions on the dog, like some will say 30 pounds, some will say, you know, 50 pounds. I know like I believe that Kimpton properties is one of the few that will like go up to like 120 pounds, I believe. And then they have like a two dog limit. And obviously you have to pay for it. But those are all some of the restrictions that you should look into, you know, with the hotels, with the hotels, big business. Yes. Yes. Uh, well, I know there's these, you know, like those, uh, with a short term rentals, like Airbnb and booking.com and all. They also have places that now they do allow pets. So I noticed, but again, you have to look and make sure that it's a pet friendly, um, place to say that they don't all do that. But I know that is it, it is, it is a big business. It's definitely a popular thing, um, for, you know, one thing I just ran across recently, which I did not know, um, more, more members of the Plum Springs Conscious Association. And I was attending a meeting and it was a company. It's called just, uh, food, uh, just food for dogs there. A California based company. Uh, but now if like you're traveling with your pet and you forget your dog food, right? They have a satellite like travel, uh, travel program that they'll bring the hotel, they'll bring dog food to your hotel room. I don't know if you find that your dog food. Okay, your dog food. So it's like, that's great. Yeah. It's this whole industry that's like, like springing up and I mean, I thought that was a brilliant idea. I know it's just a pilot program with them in the Palm Springs area. Maybe they'll roll it out more, but I'm sure one person is doing other people to think about it too, but I just thought. Yeah, it's another thing. That is a great idea. I did see in one of these large pet comfort stores, they have these portable, like one-served meals, a bowl and everything. So, wherever you go, you can get a couple of them. And she's me, you have the bowl and the meal already, you know, portioned out and everything. So, yes, it sounds like it's getting to be a really big, really big thing. I mean, which is nice too, because you do get to take your dog with you. So, or dog. You have to be traveling with your kids and your dog. I mean, right. Well, that's exactly, I think that's nice when you get to travel, bring the kids along with the dog also. That's really, really nice. Well, that sounds great. So, excuse me, where can people find you? DestinationCenters.com is our website. Okay. We service 21 locations in our cities in the United States. And then our telephone number is 888-SIT-SIT, and then kids, K-I-D-Small-Z, because we also babysit children for families. For families that, yeah. Okay, great. All right. I'm on the website. We do great. People can look that up too. Great. She's made well. Thank you so much for joining us today and giving us all that info. And hopefully more people will be able to travel with her dogs. Absolutely. I thank you for your time. This has been fun. Yes. Thank you. So, summer is almost here. And before we go, I just wanted to give you my top 10 food rituals that make family travel smoother, happier, and more connected. Tip number one is to start the day with a warm ritual, a simple tea, warm milk, or espresso, or a cappuccino, which is my favorite. It triggers everyone before the day begins. Pack one familiar comfort snack, a taste of home comms nerves, especially for kids. Choose one together meal each day. Breakfast or dinner, something predictable in an unpredictable schedule. Keep fresh fruit within reach, oranges, grapes, apples, bananas, nature's easiest travel companions. If kids choose one food adventure, a gelato flavor, a pastry, a local dish, it gives them excitement. Create a quiet bite moment. Five minutes, one small snack, no screams, and just breathing and reconnecting. And I met no screams, so no phone or TV or anything, just breathing and reconnecting. Hydrate intentionally. All dehydrates the body and the mind. Water is the simplest reset. Bring a signature flavor from home. A spice blend, a tea bag, a small chocolate. Tiny rituals really do matter. Share one local dish as a family. It turns travel into connection, not just moving. And number 10 is to end the day with something soothing. Camomile, warm milk, or a simple cookie. That is perfect for the nervous system. It's basically a soft landing for the nervous system. Thank you for spending the time with me today, and I also want to give special thanks to my producer, Brittner Roosevelt, for making this episode possible. Conversations like this remind me how powerful it is when creativity and care come together. When a filmmaker like Andre de Sica carries forward a legacy of storytelling, and when someone like Yvonne Wonder builds a service that helps families feel safe and able to explore the world, I hope something you heard today gave you a moment of inspiration, a reminder to slow down, to savor the simple things and to stay open to the beauty in the people around you. If this episode touched you, please share it with someone who might need a little comfort or encouragement in their day. And until next time, keep finding joy in the small moments, keep nourishing your life with good stories and good food, and keep savering the art of living well. And I just want to remind you where you can find me. You can find me at MarieLiberati.com. You can also find me on X at MarieLiberati. You can find me on Instagram at MarieLiberati. You can find me on Facebook at ChefMariaLiberati. You can find videos of some of my video tape podcasts on the YouTube channel, The MarieLiberati show. You can also find videos on Vimeo at MarieLiberati. And you can find my Gourmand World Award-winning book series, The Basic Art of Italian Cooking, MarieLiberati.com, The Publishers website artoflivingpremimedia.com, on BarnesEnobel.com. And you can also find not only the printed version, but the audiobook version of some of my books in the award-winning series on Amazon and Kindle. And don't forget, if you get to share this episode with your friends, please subscribe, please share so we can grow our community. I will see you soon. Bye.