10 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 28, 1994 Say 'Ciao' to the kids in 'Professore!' BEAMING WITH PRIDE & GLORY , > . .1 '. Ia .. Y. r; r. ,yI k ; '," . ' By SARAH STEWART Regardless of the fact that everyone started out as a child, there seem to be two kinds of people: those who like cast - which gives the film its fresh realism - is composed of Neapolitan kids who were recruited directly off the street by director Lina Wertmuller. All the amateur actors share an en- thusiasm that is necessary for any le- gitimate portrayal of children. In some sense, it's hard to conceive of real students speaking as aggressively to their teachers as these kids do to Sperelli, but their sincere faces and realistically anxious speeches makes all the crude talk of "fart jockeys" and "shitheads" believable and funny. When Vincenzino (Adriano CIao, Profossoro! Directed by ina Wertmuller; with Paolo Villaggio and Isa Danieli. kids and those who don't. As a celebration of the promise of youth, the Italian comedy "Ciao, Professore!" will easily satisfy mem- bers of the first category and might even change the opinion of the second group, even if it is only for the duration of the film. . "Ciao" revolves around a bunch of third-graders who, despite being strangely irresistible, look like they just walked off the stage of a produc- tion of "Oliver." They look nothing like their dignified, albeit rotund, new teacher, Marco Sperelli (Paolo Villaggio). Although he's ultimately drawn into their unconventional appeal, earrings and all, "Maestro" Sperelli originally wants to be teaching different children in a different place. Because of a bu- reaucratic error, he's been sent to Ma- fioso-ridden, poverty-stricken Corzano in Southern Italy, instead of Corsano in the more refined North. The first thing he does is apply for a transfer. In the meantime, Sperelli is faced with a group of students who don't want to be confined to his classroom anymore than he wants to be their teacher. They'd rather be working to help support their families, sleeping because they help support their fami- lies or strengthening their future by cultivating a head start as Mafioso. They act like little adults, swearing and strutting with more confidence than Kris Kross. Fortunately, Sperelli never forgets that kids are kids. He manages to leave Corzano having learned and taught that children, when given the chance, can be given hope for some- thing better. a . Without directly quoting the words of Whitney Houston, the beauty of "Ciao" lies in the children. The young Pantaleo) tells Sperelli that he's a work- ing boy and doesn't have time for school, he convincingly captures the desired effect of acting like a miniature adult; his hands fly, his words race and his eyes widen. Sperelli raises his eye- brow in response to this dynamic so- liloquy, and the audience is likely to do the same. It may sound trite, but Villaggio's performance is a tribute to teachers whose influence goes beyond the du- ties of instructor. He embodies enough dignity to be worthy of passing on his own wisdom but at the same time pos- sesses a humility that leaves him wiser for having interacted with his Corzano kids. From apurely American perspec- tive, his frustration with the principal's (Isa Danieli) unprincipled attitude is a reminder that educational dilemmas are not unique to the United States. Although "Ciao" has no critical flaws, it is not a film of epic propor- tions; it's cute kids relaying a non- revolutionary message of hope. But for once, it's fun to be able to stick up for the little guys. CIA O, PROFESSORE! is playing at the Michigan Theater. At last, a band with enough genius and balls to bring Sabbath and Skynyrd together: Pride & Glory. Led by Ozzy Osboume guitarist Zakk Wylde, the band will kick out the jams this Saturday. They'll be rocking the Ritz; call 778-8150 for details. Bring a babe and have a beer and don't forget to rock. Continued from page 8 versa. I might have some lyrics and he might have some music. We both play guitar and we both write lyrics." But what really inspires Ween to be creative is the good time they have making music. "We're trying to amuse ourselves, if you wanna know the truth. We're trying to have a good time. And we do, and that's why we keep going." However, not everybody shares Dean and Gene's sense of humor. About those who just don't get it, Dean says, "Oh, I don't know. They just have a problem, I think. People think we in- tentionally try to piss off politically correct people, but we don't, not on purpose. Iguess we do anyway. I'm not hung-up about certain things in my life; I'll do anything to have a good time. In rock'n' roll especially, if you're gonna be all PC and conscious and stuff, you better subtract all the greatest rock 'n' roll from your system immediately. "And it's just getting worse and worse; it wasn't always this way, you know? Classically, rock in the'70s was very dick-oriented thing; not that I be- lieve in that, but people never gave Ted Nugent shit about being a bow-hunt- ing, beer-drinking, out-looking-for- pussy kinda guy. It was acceptable; there wasn't a question of 'How can you say these horrible things?' And you don't take it too seriously. I don't like music that's all politically correct and conscious. It sucks! I'm more into the Lynrd Skynrd ethic," he explained. While some people see Ween as offensive, still others see them as a novelty act, which also bothers Dean. "A lot of people have said really ter- rible things about us, but there's other people who know exactly what we're doing. I don't think we're a novelty band anyway, because we write good songs. We would never try and take the piss out of anybody. A lot of people try and parody shit, but we would never try and do that. 'Oh, that's the Prince song, that's the Mexican song,' that's what people say to us, but that's not what we're trying to do at all. It all sounds like Ween to me. "We're not parodying Mexicans; we're trying to make good songs and have fun with it. That's the problem, I think, when you're funny and having fun - our stuff can be funny - you're not allowed to do that and be serious at the same time. Fuck it, we never think* about stuff like that. We can't." Fortunately, having fun hasn't im- peded the Ween brothers' career; "Chocolate and Cheese" is the band's second album for Elektra, and Dean is happy at his new home: "Yeah, I like it very much. We've never tried to do anything for ourselves but make the music. I think good things have come our way because of it. We got our first. record deal with Twin Tone by acci- dent, and Kramer called us and said he wanted to make a record with us, and Elektra contacted us. We've nevertried to get gigs or record deals. We put all of our energy into the music, and I think it's paid off." But don't think that Ween don't care about success: "I would like to be mega-successful, as big as Sinatra," We'vesaidthatsincewe were15or16, and I think we can get there doing exactly what we're doing now, be- cause we can write good pop songs - and I think the day will come when we have a number one record." Perhaps they will, one day. But this Saturday you can see the "massive retardation," as Dean calls it, of Ween live. It's sure to be an, ahem, stimulating experience. Consider yourself at home, consider yourself ... Wait, is this "Ciao, Professore!" or a revival of "Oliver!"? cows Continued from page 9 wanna wear it. It was a woman, and she gotpretty upset when I told herIwanted to wear it. I think she thought I was gonna wear it and have some guy bend me over and fuck me while he pre- tended I was a doll or something. She turned beet red, got a nervous giggle, and said 'Well, I never heard that one before.' I was really proud of myself. I was also with another guy, and he got really embarrassed because he figured she was thinking he was the guy who was gonna fuck me. He turned beet red and left the shop in a big hurry." The Cows seem to be awash in the controversial. If it's not themselves, it's their opening acts. "Two police officers got killed here recently (in Minneapolis," related Selberg. "And the opening band at a show we just played, Ghost Dance Deluxe, cut out the headline "Two Police Officers Slain" and crossed out "Police Offic- ers" and wrote in "Pigs." They fliered it all over town and the police got hold of it and gave it to the mayor. They said if that band played at our show, they were going to show up with 400 uni- formed officers in front of the stage, and just watch. They weren't allowed to play by the club. They showed the flier on the news. There were like 1200 people at the show." So remember: controversy pays. THE COWS will play tonight at Club Hell (19106 Woodward). Tickets are only $7, and they've got some at Schoolkid's, but they don't have any at TicketMaster. Doors at 8 p.m. for those 18 and over. Call (313) 368- 9687 for info. I . . r--7 -., WEEN are playing Saturday night at St. Andrews Hall. Doors open at 9 p.m. for those 18 and over. It's $10. Motocaster opens. Call 961-MELT. a (94 Major Events Listing Friday October 28, 1994 Saturday October 29, 1994 b Ka Yn ir +F .' E+Gi vEEkid #£:445£'f. £?' ^e:n:}E,. aa'i £,;3YS+ . c 33P"R :: . .'. ID+ £Y:.?33'E£$0333#£F.+ ."