In tune with the tough economic times these days, the film explores the impact of a job loss on a middle class family in Genoa. [youtube width=”615″ height=”461″]http://youtu.be/Ck4e-NpX0NY[/youtube] I found this film very interesting, especially when viewed through the prism of The Bicycle Thief (Vittorio De Sica – 1948). Both effectively depict the rigid patriarchal… Continue reading Days and Clouds – Giorni e nuvole (Silvio Soldini – 2007)
White Nights – Le notti bianche (Luchino Visconti – 1957)
Do you believe dreams can come true? In this masterpiece, adapted from a Russian short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Luchino Visconti provides a resounding yes. Or at least it appears like it. The film was shot in Cinecitta’ studio 5 where 3 years later Fellini would shoot his incredible La Dolce Vita. The choice for… Continue reading White Nights – Le notti bianche (Luchino Visconti – 1957)
Shoeshine – Sciuscià (Vittorio De Sica – 1946)
Ever wondered what started the Oscar for Best Foregin Language Film category? It was Shoeshine, Vittorio De Sica‘s fifth film that initially received a Special Academy Award in 1948 and two years later for his masterpiece The Bicycle Thief. Shoeshine is a special film for many reasons. First, it marks the start of one of… Continue reading Shoeshine – Sciuscià (Vittorio De Sica – 1946)
Escape by Night – Era notte a Roma (Roberto Rossellini – 1960)
Known as the father of neorealism in Italian cinema, specifically due to his widely acclaimed masterpiece, Rome Open City – Roma, città aperta (1945), in this film director Roberto Rossellini continues his theme of personal human stories embedded in the rough realities of Italy during WWII. Portraying a common phenomenon at the time by zooming… Continue reading Escape by Night – Era notte a Roma (Roberto Rossellini – 1960)
Happy Holidays!
