Italian Cinema has enjoyed a rich history since Cinecità began in the 50’s spawning talent including Marcello Mastroianni, Sofia Loren and Totò and is currently enjoying a boom at least in Italy , due to a new generation of actors and Directors who have their finger on the cultural pulse.

Obviously an appreciation of Italian Cinema is more fulfilling if you can understand the language. Having said that some internationally acclaimed films such as Cinema Paradiso and La Vita é Bella (Life Is Beautiful) have been released with English subtitles. Who ever would have thought it possible to craft a film that also involves a certain amount of humour in the portrayal of the holocaust! However the director and star of La Vita é Bella, Roberto Benigni manages to weave a tale inspired by events involving his Grandfather during the Second World War, recounting the story of his incarceration in Auschwitz . This is an incredibly moving film but often very funny and a must see. This film is readily available on video and DVD in England to rent as well as to buy.

By Diane Wheeler

Not many Italian films released on DVD or video have English subtitles, which is a great pity as Italian cinema has a lot to offer in terms of  immense acting talent and rich interesting dramas which offer an insight into events which have made history here such as the murders of Judges Falcone and Borsellino committed by the mafia in the 80’s.

The kidnapping and execution of the Christian Democrat politician, Aldo Moro in the 70’s by the Brigate Rosse (Red Brigades) was poignantly explored through the eyes of disillusioned protagonist Maya Sansa in Buon Giorno Notte (Good Morning Night). The film also stars another of Italy ’s most talented young actors, Luigi Lo Cascio. He stars together with Alessio Boni in the epic La Meglio Gioventù (The Best Youth) which won ‘Un Certain Regard’ at the Venice Film Festival 2003. Directed by Marco Tullio Giordana the film is a lengthy but completely absorbing six hours long and tells the moving story of the relationship between two brothers against the historical and political events that transformed Italy from the 60’s to the present day. The film is a tableau of a generation full of contradiction that expressed themselves naively and sometimes violently while struggling to reconcile difficulties in personal relationships while attempting to radically change current events.

Romantic complications are explored and beautifully performed by Luigi Lo Cascio and Stefania Riccarielli in the recently released La Vita che Vorrei (The Life I Wish I Had). The film tells the story of two leading actors who fall in love on set but are hampered by insecurities and clashing egos. Again an intermediate knowledge of Italian is required as the film is without subtitles in English.

Other recent cinematic successes include L’Ultimo Bacio (The Last Kiss) an exploration of the fear of commitment experienced by a group of thirty-somethings. La Finestra Di Fronte (The Window Opposite) starring Raoul Bova and Giovanna Mezzogiorno, who play a couple who spy on one another through their kitchen windows and embark on an affair which leads to an understanding that dreams are meant to be followed. Ricordati Di Me (Remember Me) stars Monica Belluci, currently enjoying international recognition for her role in Matrix Reloaded. The film portrays a family each with their own crisis who are ultimately bonded together by a tragic event.

Frustratingly Italian Cinema does not enjoy an international appreciation due to language constraint but if you are fortunate enough to have studied Italian or are learning at the moment, it is possible to derive a huge amount of pleasure and gain an insight into the cultural preoccupations and complexities of a passionate and creative people. To this end consider renting an Italian film or dip into an Italian cinema on your next trip to get a taste of what’s going on!

By Diane Wheeler