I Quattro Tassisti – The Four Taxi Drivers (Giorgio Bianchi – 1963)

With 2015 coming upon us, I figured there is nothing like rewinding the clock back to this 1963 quaint cinematic gem to usher the New Year. Once upon a time there were 4 taxi drivers…This charming film brings four short films – urban fables if you will – that each captures a different human aspect… Continue reading I Quattro Tassisti – The Four Taxi Drivers (Giorgio Bianchi – 1963)

Open Roads 2014: Via Castellana Bandiera – A Street in Palermo (Emma Dante – 2013)

It’s that time of the year, an absolute treat. I am obviously talking about the annual Italian Cinema festival, Open Roads, that takes place every June at Lincoln Film Center. It’s a rare opportunity to get access to some of the freshest voices in Italian cinema with veteran as well as new surprises. This year, unfortunately,… Continue reading Open Roads 2014: Via Castellana Bandiera – A Street in Palermo (Emma Dante – 2013)

La Grande Bellezza – The Great Beauty (Paolo Sorrentino – 2013)

La Grande Bellezza

This movie is a portrait of the lifestyle and human attitude that is typical of Roman society: decadent, indolent and insolent – if you allow me to express these words also in English. Sorrentino gives us fantastic, charming, captivating photographs of Rome. From the sparkling colors of Jep’s funkiest parties, to the shaded tones of… Continue reading La Grande Bellezza – The Great Beauty (Paolo Sorrentino – 2013)

Open Roads 2011: 1860 I Mille di Garibaldi (Alessandro Blasetti – 1934)

As Italy celebrates its 150th year of unification (aka Risoregimento) this year, the Lincoln Film Society in New York chose to include this masterpiece by Alessandro Blasetti as part of their current festival: Open Roads: New Italian Cinema. I attended the screening and here are some of my impressions. Carmelo and Rosuzza his wife reunited… Continue reading Open Roads 2011: 1860 I Mille di Garibaldi (Alessandro Blasetti – 1934)

Teleport Yourself into Taormina, Sicily

June 10-12 starts the famous Taormina Film Fest. Antonioni’s L’avventura (The Adventure – 1960) was shot there. If you have other plans for the summer, cafe Pellicola can really take you there now… Ready? To start your journey in Taormina, simply follow these instructions: TO LAUNCH: Click on icon on upper right corner of the… Continue reading Teleport Yourself into Taormina, Sicily