Domenica d’agosto – Sunday in August (Luciano Emmer -1949)

It’s August in Rome and it seems like the whole town has a single mission – go to the beach! You can watch this charming, time-capsule of a movie below (76 minutes, no English subtitles, though). [youtube width=”615″ height=”346″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf1mTyF32v8&feature=share&list=PLU7L0O6PxEi14wMOExIx5mlUiW0ssEQIn[/youtube] Full film In this light comedy, categorized under “Pink Neorealism,” precursor to later Italian comedy genre (considering… Continue reading Domenica d’agosto – Sunday in August (Luciano Emmer -1949)

Open Roads 2011: Fughe e approdi – Return to the Aeolian Islands (Giovanna Taviani – 2010)

Quick, what comes to your mind when you think about the word “island?” It’s not a coincidence the word swings between two opposing associations: on the positive end, it offers exotic escape, away from it all repose, while on the negative – a sense of forced seclusion, and disconnectedness from rest of the world. The… Continue reading Open Roads 2011: Fughe e approdi – Return to the Aeolian Islands (Giovanna Taviani – 2010)

Il Sorpasso – The Easy Life (Dino Risi – 1962)

Labeled as the first Italian road trip movie and hallmark of the Italian comedy (Commedia all’italiana) genre, director Dino Risi provides an alarming prophecy for the future of Italy during the prosperous early 60’s of what is typically referred to as the Italian Economic Miracle (Boom Economico). This is Italy after WWII that experienced a… Continue reading Il Sorpasso – The Easy Life (Dino Risi – 1962)