Golden Door – Nuovomondo (Emanuele Crialese – 2006)

The latest film by director Emanuele Crialese (who also did 2002 Respiro) is a fine example of modern Italian cinema at its best – amazing photography, supported by clever screenplay and pounding soundtrack that will keep you relishing the experience days after watching. [youtube width=”615″ height=”461″]http://youtu.be/-NkoJXHiQTc[/youtube] The film vividly tells the story of Italian emigration… Continue reading Golden Door – Nuovomondo (Emanuele Crialese – 2006)

Story of a Love Affair – Cronaca di un amore (Michelangelo Antonioni – 1950)

Rainy dark streets, unfulfilled love, alienated ambience, restless camera movement and mimialistic soundtrack come together here in Michelangelo Antonioni’s first full-length feature film. With the recent passing of this incredible director that has largely shaped the course of Italian cinema – it is fascinating to go back to the early years and observe the origin… Continue reading Story of a Love Affair – Cronaca di un amore (Michelangelo Antonioni – 1950)

Enchanted – Incantato (Pupi Avati – 2003)

Can a social class gap prevent two people from having a relationship? According to Pupi Avati’s highly-acclaimed film Incantato – no for a while, but then again yes in 1920’s Bologna. In this context, Nello a young and sensitive professor (Neri Marcorè) from Rome is sent to teach in a notable college in Bologna and… Continue reading Enchanted – Incantato (Pupi Avati – 2003)

The Crush – La Cotta (Ermanno Olmi – 1967)

Have plans for New Year? Not yet? Well…now you do! Get your loved-one or no one and celebrate it with The Crush, an adorable short film (49 minutes) by Ermanno Olmi. The kind people at Criterion Collection included this fine featurette in the DVD of Il Posto, another gem I have recently covered. The film… Continue reading The Crush – La Cotta (Ermanno Olmi – 1967)

The Job – Il Posto (Ermanno Olmi – 1961)

Do you remember your first job interview and your mom protectively cautioning you, don’t mess up this could be a great opportunity, practically work for life? Or an important exam you took at school and the following stress afterwards when your friends commenting – that was easy (no it wasn’t!), prodding you the correct answer… Continue reading The Job – Il Posto (Ermanno Olmi – 1961)