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#1 2021-10-04 03:12:38
- A Fine Sadness
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Italian Cinema
Of course, as film buffs like Gibson and Yuca will know, Italian cinema was not all gritty neo-realism, Fellini and cerebral celebrations. Not at all. Post-war, after getting one or two things off their chests, they became great stylists in other directions: often by copying American, later British, genres. The muscleman films Italy probably did give to the world, but horror (based on Hammer), westerns (based on American with a Japanese samurai twist) and spy thrillers (Bond, UNCLE etc.) were taken by gifted (in some instances) Italian moviemakers and sometimes improved upon. The music and graphic arts of that period are often a delight. There are plenty of books around dedicated to the more populist side of Italian movie-making. Later, especially in the gore-fest field, they came into their own with Argento and others. But often the emphasis was on sex and violence, not Visconti-like beauty. 'Suspiria' anyone, with that ear-pounding music?
Even when I went to Venice as a twelve year old, I remember the gaudy colours of their movie posters leaping out at me. Didn't Graham Marsh and Tony N produce something?
#3 2021-10-04 03:48:42
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Re: Italian Cinema
Barbara Steele was always a great favourite of mine. A Merseyside lady?
#4 2021-10-04 09:12:28
- An Unseen Scene
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Re: Italian Cinema
Italian Cinema - first interested from a horror angle when young. Barbara Steele as you said, Mario Bava especially. Argento, Giallo more broadly etc. But as I got into world cinema in the late 80s as they appeared on video (and were shown at Nottingham Broadway arts cinema), my tastes broadened. Italy made some crazy swinging crime films in the 60s that are now toe curling, but it's all part of the diversity.
Last edited by An Unseen Scene (2021-10-04 13:19:13)
#5 2021-10-04 13:12:59
- Yuca
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Re: Italian Cinema
I tried to educate myself about Italian cinema at the same time I started learning about French cinema, but I ended up watching quite a few films that did nothing for me and lost interest. On saying that, I did find a few that I liked: L'eclisse is Delon, Vitti and Antonioni in 1962 - 'nuff said. L'Avventura is Vitti and Antonioni from 1960 and also pretty good, although it's along similar lines to La dolce vita i.e. very nice to look at but not much in the way of plot. Talking of Mastroianni: Matrimonio all'italiana and Oggi, domani, dopodomani are both worth a watch. And you probably know more about Fellini than I do.
Of a more recent vintage I can only think of Bianca from 1983, which is entertaining.
However, in all honesty, I would recommend any of the French films I listed recently over all of the above. If you can get a copy of Touchez pas au grisbi for a reasonable price then don't hesitate.
Last edited by Yuca (2021-10-04 22:04:23)
some sort of banal legitimacy
#6 2021-10-04 13:22:25
- Yuca
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Re: Italian Cinema
TRS may be able to offer a lot more recommendations.
Incidentally, the DVD sections of better charity shops can be a very good source for films from around the world, generally from recent years. For a few quid they're worth a punt - if one isn't that good then you can give it back, and if it is good you've got a bargain.
Talking of films of a recent vintage: Carlos from 2010 is superb. It was actually a TV mini series so make sure you get the full length version (5 1/2 hours) and not the theatrical release. I found the latter in a charity shop and enjoyed it so much I ended up buying the full length DVD online.
some sort of banal legitimacy
#8 2021-10-04 15:27:06
- Yuca
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Re: Italian Cinema
Grisbi is the one that completely relaunched Gabin's career. It also marked Ventura's debut. He had no acting experience at the time and received a lot of support from Gabin.
some sort of banal legitimacy
#9 2021-10-04 17:09:39
- Tworussellstreet
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Re: Italian Cinema
Yuca - I believe the film you referenced should be Ieri, Oggi, Domani - you're getting a day ahead of yourself.
Nanni Moretti made more than just Bianca - Caro Diario, Aprile and La Stanza Del Figlio are special films of wit and intelligence. And La Palombella Rossa - the Italians do like their water polo.
Bertolucci made some great films in the 70s and 80s.
Antonioni - Il Deserto Rosso - might be his masterpiece, and, for all its hype and silliness, Blow Up is a delight, especially from this distance. David Hemmings has left me with a serious white Levis and gingham shirt addiction inappropriate in a man of 56 years.
And what about Viaggio In Italia?, regia Rossellini. George Sanders, Ingrid B, enigmatic, often absurd, but ultimately so moving. And Napoli in '54! All there on screen...
Forza Italia !
#10 2021-10-04 17:29:41
- Yuca
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Re: Italian Cinema
The only Italian I know is food or obscenities. According to the internet, your title and mine are both different films, and the one I was trying to recommend is indeed the one you mentioned: Ieri, oggi, domani from 1963.
Last edited by Yuca (2021-10-04 22:03:32)
some sort of banal legitimacy
#11 2021-10-04 17:31:34
- Yuca
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Re: Italian Cinema
Bicycle Thieves is a classic. Although I'm not generally into Italian neorealism. Too depressing for me.
some sort of banal legitimacy
#12 2021-10-05 06:29:48
- A Fine Sadness
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Re: Italian Cinema
Remember seeing 'Red Desert' (is that its English translation?) in the cinema around 1984. Three people in the audience. A hip chap and his girl three rows in front of me. The girl was sleeping, her head on his shoulder. I had my eyes on the leading lady (ill now or even deceased? Alzheimer's, I think). Haven't seen 'Blow Up' in over forty years.
I went through the international card about fifteen years ago: France, Italy, Japan, Russia, Germany; doubtless others. But we like Ealing, Powell And Pressburger ('Edge Of The World', 'A Canterbury Tale'), 1930s Hitchcock, anything with Jean Arthur, Carole Lombard, 'The Thin Man'; lots more.
#13 2021-10-05 06:36:53
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Re: Italian Cinema
Monica Vitti, I'm pleased to see, is still with us but obviously ill.