{"id":1907,"date":"2014-01-24T13:28:03","date_gmt":"2014-01-24T13:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.listenandlearn.org\/blog\/?p=1907"},"modified":"2014-01-24T13:28:25","modified_gmt":"2014-01-24T13:28:25","slug":"la-dolce-vita-the-best-italian-films-and-directors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.listenandlearn.org\/blog\/la-dolce-vita-the-best-italian-films-and-directors\/","title":{"rendered":"La Dolce Vita: The Best Italian Films and Directors"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Italianmovies\"<\/a>Italian film directors Sergio Leone and Frederico Fellini are household names all around the globe, and are considered gods of celluloid in film circles, but they\u2019re not the only Italians that have made an impact in the film world.<\/p>\n

Since the Best Foreign Language category was introduced to the Academy Awards programme in 1956, Italians have dominated with 28 films nominated, thirteen films winning the coveted award, its closest competition France just one behind. But the next nearest contender Spain is way down the list with four wins in total.<\/p>\n

Although this isn\u2019t a competition, it\u2019s a demonstration of the popularity of Italian film making, both at home, and abroad \u2013 so here\u2019s a sample to give you a taste of what\u2019s on offer.<\/p>\n

Sergio Leone<\/b><\/p>\n

No reference to Italian films would be complete without first mentioning Sergio Leone \u2013 the man responsible for the term Spaghetti Western.<\/p>\n

He started the slow, close up, sweeping visual style of cowboy film that would later become known as Spaghetti Westerns with his \u2018Dollars Trilogy\u2019. Starring a young Clint Eastwood these films were \u2018A Fistful of Dollars\u2019 (1964), \u2018For a Few Dollars More\u2019 (1965), and \u2018The Good, the Bad and the Ugly\u2019 (1966) \u2013 and although they had American actors and U.S. distributors, these were very much Italian made films.<\/p>\n

Frederico Fellini<\/b><\/p>\n

Although Fellini was not as prolific as some of his overseas counterparts, he is the most prolific winning director in Academy Awards history with four Oscars in the Best Foreign Language category.<\/p>\n

La Strada (1956)<\/b><\/p>\n

Fellini\u2019s classic about a young girl who becomes a circus performer against her will is heart-breaking, and launched Anthony Quinn\u2019s career into orbit.<\/p>\n

Nights of Cabiria (1957)<\/b><\/p>\n

Once again we have Fellini playing with our hearts, as this time a young prostitute suffers through the perils of life and love.<\/p>\n

8\u00bd (1963)<\/b><\/p>\n

This Fellini comedy drama is partly autobiographical about a director struggling to finish a film. Filmed in black and white, and with its avant-garde style, it\u2019s really one for the film purists, and as such is ranked in the top 50 of most movie lists.<\/p>\n

Amarcord (1973)<\/b><\/p>\n

Another semi-autobiographical piece from Fellini, but this time reflecting his youth during Fascist pre-WWII Italy.<\/p>\n

La Dolce Vita (1960)<\/b><\/p>\n

Oddly enough, this Fellini classic wasn\u2019t even nominated for an Academy Award, and yet it has stood the test of time, and is probably one of the most recognised and referenced Italian films today.<\/p>\n

Set in Rome, this visual feast of a film briefly follows the life of a journalist in his conquests, fantasies, and realities \u2013 giving meaning to the phrase \u2018the sweet life\u2019.<\/p>\n

Life is Beautiful (1997)<\/b><\/p>\n

Moving away from Leone and Fellini, this film is as famous for winning an Oscar, as it is for the passionate and dramatic way its director\/actor Roberto Benigni clambered over seats and people to claim the gong itself.<\/p>\n

The stunning story of romance, life, and death in a Nazi death camp \u2013 this film captured the world\u2019s attention, and was a box office bonanza.<\/p>\n

Cinema Paradiso (1998)<\/b><\/p>\n

One of my all-time favourites is a simple story about a filmmaker reminiscing about how his interest in movies got sparked by a theatre projectionist as a child.<\/p>\n

Written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatorere, the film initially failed in his native Italy, but an edited version for international audiences proved to be a huge commercial and critical success, winning both the Special Jury Prize at Cannes, and the Best Foreign Language film in 1989.<\/p>\n

The Postman (1994)<\/b><\/p>\n

Not to be mistaken with the American apocalyptic film of the same name, this is a simple but beautiful story of a local postman forming a friendship with a famous poet, and going on to use his love of poetry to win over the girl of his dreams.<\/p>\n

The film won critical acclaim around the world, but unfortunately, writer\/star Massimo Troisi didn\u2019t get to enjoy it, having suffered a fatal heart attack a day after they finished filming.<\/p>\n

Honourable mention must go to \u2018The Bicycle Thief\u2019; \u2018The Best of Youth\u2019; \u2018A Special Day\u2019; \u2018The Leopard\u2019; and \u2018Mediterraneo\u2019 for a really amazing sample of Italian film throughout the ages \u2013 see how much Italian you know<\/a> and do away with subtitles to really appreciate these films even more.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s your favourite Italian film?<\/p>\n

\"Italianfilms3\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Italian film directors Sergio Leone and Frederico Fellini are household names all around the globe, and are considered gods of celluloid in film circles, but they\u2019re not the only Italians that have made an impact in the film world. Since the Best Foreign Language category was introduced to the Academy Awards programme in 1956, Italians(\u2026)<\/p>\n

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