Category: Italy
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1900 (NOVECENTO)
“1900” (original title: Novecento, 1976) is an epic historical drama directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. The film spans several decades in 20th-century Italy, from the early 1900s to the rise of fascism (an occurring theme in Bertolucci’s earlier films), and it explores the lives of two men from different social classes whose fates are intertwined with…
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YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY
“Your Vice Is a Locked Room, and Only I Have the Key,” directed by Sergio Martino in 1972, is an Italian Giallo film known for its intricate plot, psychological tension, and stylistic flair. The story centers on Oliviero Rouvigny (Luigi Pistilli), a dissolute, alcoholic writer living in a decaying villa with his estranged wife, Irina…
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DOGVILLE
“Dogville” is a 2003 avant-garde drama film directed by Lars von Trier. The film is notable for its minimalist set design, which uses a nearly bare soundstage with chalk outlines to represent the small town of Dogville, Colorado. This unconventional approach emphasizes the story’s themes and character dynamics. The film follows Grace Margaret Mulligan (Nicole Kidman),…
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ROMA (72)
“Roma,” released in 1972, is a poignant and visually stunning film directed by the acclaimed Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. The story revolves around two trips made to Rome by a director. The first trip was taken when he was a young man in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The second trip was made when…
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DIE WEIBCHEN aka THE FEMALES
‘Die Weibchen,’ aka “The Females,” is a 1970 horror drama film directed by Zbynek Brynch. The film centers around an attractive 24-year-old Eve (played by Uschi Glas) who is mentally exhausted and close to a nervous breakdown. She travels to an exclusive health spa for women for a six-week treatment on her doctor’s advice. Upon…
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SHOOT LOUD, LOUDER, I DON’T UNDERSTAND
“Shoot Loud, Louder, I Don’t Understand” is a 1973 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Eduardo De Filippo, which was adapted from his play. The film presents a satirical and poignant commentary on the complexities of human communication, misinterpretation, and the absurdities of everyday life. Set in Naples, the story revolves around Alberto Saporito (portrayed by…
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DILLINGER E’ MORTO aka DILLINGER IS DEAD
“Dillinger is Dead” is a 1969 Italian-French film directed by Marco Ferreri. This avant-garde and highly symbolic film is a dark and surreal exploration of alienation, consumerism, and existentialism. The film’s title references the notorious American gangster John Dillinger but is a stark departure from any traditional crime drama. The film centers around Glauco, played…
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BLOW-UP
“Blow-Up,” directed by the visionary Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni in 1966, is a groundbreaking cinematic exploration of perception, reality, and the elusive nature of truth. Set in the vibrant and swinging London of the 1960s, the film features a cast led by David Hemmings, Vanessa Redgrave, and Sarah Miles. The story follows Thomas, played by…
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THE DRIVERS SEAT aka IDENTIKIT
“The Driver’s Seat,” also known as “Identikit,” is a 1974 psychological thriller starring the legendary Elizabeth Taylor in a departure from her usual roles. Directed by Giuseppe Patroni Griffi, this film takes audiences on a suspenseful journey into a troubled woman’s mind, searching for something elusive in her life. The story centers around Lise, portrayed…
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8 1/2
“8 ½,” the 1963 film directed by the legendary Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, is a cinematic masterpiece that blurs the lines between reality and imagination. It’s a film that explores the inner workings of the human mind, artistic creation, and the struggles of self-identity and creative expression. Guido Anselmi, played brilliantly by Marcello Mastroianni, is…
The Other Cinema 