As if the web needed more lists of the best Italian films of all time...
At
the risk of adding to an already grotesquely long list of "best Italian
films EVER" here is my humble addition, inspired by my need to
reference these constantly in conversations about films (because Italian
films are so important...) and by that Italian film syllabus
from college that is buried somewhere in a pile of old notebooks.
The concept of neorealism might come up when talking about Italian
film. This concept usually eludes me, but I have been told that it is a
post-war style of film using non-celebrity actors, which gives the film a
stronger feel of reality. Feel free to add more to my working
definition, good readers.
Here
is the list and as I watch them hopefully will be adding more in the
way of summary, as right now what is there was literally copied (and
referenced!) from IMDB. So pop your popcorn and get ready to get a
healthy dose of international film connoisseur knowledge.
Cinema Paradiso (1988) Director: Giuseppe Tornatore, Writer: Giuseppe Tornatore, Stars:
Philippe Noiret, Enzo Cannavale, Antonella Attili
A filmmaker recalls his childhood, when he fell in love with the movies at his village's theater and formed a deep friendship with the theater's projectionist. (IMDB)
Where to find it: Local library
La vita è bella (1997) Life is Beautiful
Director: Roberto Benigni, Writer: Vincenzo Cerami, Stars: Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini
When an open-minded Jewish librarian and his son become victims of the Holocaust, he uses a perfect mixture of will, humor and imagination to protect his son from the dangers around their camp. (IMDB)
Where to find it: Netflix DVD
La strada (1954)Director: Federico Fellini, Writers: Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Stars: Anthony Quinn, Giulietta Masina, Richard Basehar
A care-free girl is sold to a traveling entertainer, consequently enduring physical and emotional pain along the way. (IMDB)
Where to find it: Local library
Ladri di biciclette (1948)Bicycle Thieves
Director: Vittorio De Sica, Writer: Cesare Zavattini, Stars: Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola
In post-war Italy, a working-class man's bicycle is stolen. He and his son set out to find it. (IMDB)
Where to find it: Netflix DVD
Benvenuti al sud (2010) Welcome to the South
Director: Luca Miniero, Writer: Massimo Gaudioso, Stars: Claudio Bisio, Alessandro Siani
Overwhelmed by his wife, a Northern Italy postal worker feigns a disability to request a transfer to Milan and when he's unmasked is sent for two years to a far and tiny village near Naples. (IMDB)
Where to find it: Local library
La Dolce Vita (1960) Director: Federico Fellini, Writer: Federico Fellini, Stars: Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg
A series of stories following a week in the life of a philandering paparazzo journalist living in Rome. (IMDB)
Where to find it: Netflix DVD
Il gattopardo (1963) The Leopard
Director: Luchino Visconti, Writers: Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa (novel), Suso Cecchi D'Amico (screenplay), Stars: Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, Claudia Cardinale
The Prince of Salina, a noble aristocrat of impeccable integrity, tries to preserve his family and class amid the tumultuous social upheavals of 1860's Sicily. (IMDB)
Where to find it: Netflix DVD (English version)
8 1/2 (1963) Director: Federico Fellini, Writers: Federico Fellini, Stars: Marcello Mastroianni, Anouk Aimée
A harried movie director retreats into his memories and fantasies. (IMDB)
Where to find it: Netflix DVD
Vincere (2009) Director: Marco Bellocchio, Writer: Marco Bellocchio, Stars: Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Filippo Timi, Fausto Russo Alesi
The story of Mussolini's secret lover, Ida Dalser, and their son Albino. (IMDB)
Where to find it: Netflix DVD only
Umberto D (1952) Director: Vittorio De Sica, Writer: Cesare Zavattini, Stars: Carlo Battisti, Maria Pia Casilio
An elderly man and his dog struggle to survive on his government pension in Rome. (IMDB)
Where to find it: Netflix DVD
