#29: La terra trema (Luchino Visconti, 1948)

Posted on March 23, 2022September 7, 2022 by Steven

Luchino Visconti’s second film follows a Sicilian fishing family who strives to rise up out of poverty, but face hardships at every turn.

#28: Two Sicilian Love Stories by Pietro Germi

Posted on February 22, 2022September 7, 2022 by Steven

Pietro Germi goes to Sicily with “Divorce Italian Style” and “Seduced and Abandoned,” critiquing law & society against the backdrop of decaying aristocracy and the rise of the mafia.

#27: The Hand of God (Paolo Sorrentino, 2021)

Posted on January 20, 2022September 7, 2022 by Steven

“The Hand of God” is a semi-autobiographical tale a young man in Naples whose life is transformed when a terrible tragedy pushes him from an idyllic childhood to somber adulthood.

#26: The Great Beauty (Paolo Sorrentino, 2013)

Posted on December 22, 2021September 7, 2022 by Steven

This sprawling work examines Roman high society, as well as broader themes of artistry, beauty, and experiences both individual and collective.

#25: I vitelloni (Federico Fellini, 1953) & I basilischi (Lina Wertmüller, 1963)

Posted on October 23, 2021September 7, 2022 by Steven

Discussing two tales of young men, directionless and in limbo, and exploring their thematic similarities & differences.

#24: Domenica d’agosto (Luciano Emmer, 1950)

Posted on August 1, 2021September 7, 2022 by Steven

Discussing this example of “pink neorealism” as well as its themes of class, regionalism, and more.

#23: Luca (Enrico Casarosa, 2021)

Posted on July 22, 2021September 7, 2022 by Steven

“Luca” has rich overtones of a coming out story dealing with identity and acceptance, as well as numerous references to Italian culture, music, and more cinema italiano.