Mamma Roma (Pier Paolo Pasolini – 1962)

Individualism vs. determinism is it truly up to the individual to change his destiny or is it all predetermined? Anna Magnani in an emotion explosion In his second film Mamma Roma, Pier Paolo Pasolini is constantly moving between these two extreme poles. The story, brings about Pasolini’s typical characters on the margins of life as… Continue reading Mamma Roma (Pier Paolo Pasolini – 1962)

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)

The Orange Thief (Vinnie Angel, Boogie Dean, Arthur Wilinski – 2007)

Have you ever been impressed by someone’s accomplishment and rationalized it by instinctively pulling out the usual excuses such as oh that most likely took lots of experience, money, contacts and anything else that you can come up with to sooth your ego and inaction? The reality is that we’re all doing it all the… Continue reading The Orange Thief (Vinnie Angel, Boogie Dean, Arthur Wilinski – 2007)

Mediterraneo (Gabriele Salvatores – 1991)

In tempi come questi, la fuga è l’unico mezzo che rimane per mantenersi vìvi e continuare a sognare. In times like these, escape is the only mean available for keeping alive and continue dreaming. – Henry Laborit This film opens up with this quote to set the stage for a simple truth; sometimes we need… Continue reading Mediterraneo (Gabriele Salvatores – 1991)

The Fiancés – I Fidanzati (Ermanno Olmi – 1963)

Do your memories carry a soundtrack? Ermanno Olmi in a genuine masterpiece believes they sure do. And why not? We all tend to associate old songs to places and people we used to know and this way create more vivid and richer “mini-episodes” in our mind. Olmi skillfully uses a lively tune of a dance… Continue reading The Fiancés – I Fidanzati (Ermanno Olmi – 1963)