The Show Mas Go On

MAS (Magazzini allo Statuto) opened in Rome at the turn of the 20th century as a high-end fashion emporium, but all that's left of its former glory are the old chandeliers, some of which are drooping so badly they practically touch the ratty wall-to-wall carpet on the floor. Yes, MAS has gone decidedly downscale, all five floors of it, with a very colourful army of customers who still pick over its bins and scrutinize its incredibly dusty shelves. The film turns this cult location into a "stage" for the store's usual urban fauna, interwoven with performances and cinematic homages to help convey its spirit, energy, and vast potential. 　　"We got the idea for the video documentary one night when we walked by MAS, and we all had the same reaction: no! It can't close! That´s how three friends - one a video artist, one a first assistant director and one an agent, decided to start filming right away to stop time in its tracks at this place/non-place, now a stage for the occasion." [Rä di Martino, Federica Illuminati, Marcella Libonati]