Boccaccio ’70: Renzo e Luciana (Mario Monicelli – 1962)

With the global success of Fellini’s 1960 La Dolce Vita, Cinecitta’ the glorious studio in Rome continued the theme of love in modern times, featuring four leading directors: Mario Monicelli, Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti and Vittorio de Sica. The last three were considered veterans back then, whereas Monicelli an up and coming director that his… Continue reading Boccaccio ’70: Renzo e Luciana (Mario Monicelli – 1962)

8½ (Federico Fellini – 1963)

This Oscar-winning masterpiece was originally titled “La Bella Confusione” (The Nice Confusion) and was made in six months against the backdrop of the early 60’s Economic Miracle (Boom Economico) in which Italy experienced substantial economic growth. This period of prosperity on one hand also added confusion and identity crisis as Italian society transformed from agricultural… Continue reading 8½ (Federico Fellini – 1963)

Rocco e i suoi fratelli – Rocco and his Brothers (Luchino Visconti – 1960)

It’s a story told many times of a family that leaves home to find a better life elsewhere.  In this masterpiece Visconti overlays this basic premise in Italy of the Economic Boom of early 60’s, the cultural dissonant emerging from a Southern family from Lucania trying to assimilate in big city Milan, and above all… Continue reading Rocco e i suoi fratelli – Rocco and his Brothers (Luchino Visconti – 1960)