Italian Films

We don't seem to have a category for films, Nor do I often see much discussion of Italian cinema on the net, and yet it seems to me that the Italians produce a fair amount of films every year.  I do try and see films in Italian if I can in order to improve my language skills but I often find Italian films a bit so so for some reason.  The classics (La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2,  Bicycle Thieves etc.) are mostly pretty depressing and more modern ones, e.g. My Brother was an Only Child, are okay but not very inspiring or moving.  

Recently however, I've seen two films that impressed me a lot.  The first we saw in the cinema here in London, The Great Beautyl (La Grande Bellezza) and the other one, Mine Vaganti (Loose Cannons) I watched on DVD.  Has anyone seen these?  I'd heartly recommend both.

Not seen either film, but heard very good things about La Grande Bellezza.

I recently watched 'Io sono l'amore' with the remarkable Tilda Swinton (who speaks apparently fluent Italian!).

Excellent but steamy - so don't view it when there are young children around.

ghiro wrote:I recently watched 'Io sono l'amore' with the remarkable Tilda Swinton (who speaks apparently fluent Italian!).Excellent but steamy - so don't view it when there are young children around.

A review link here Review LINK , critic not too impressed, but I was by the striking features of the lady in question... Certainly I never take much notice of these reviews without seeing the film for myself. I wonder if it's something (Italian films that is) you graduate towards as your Italian becomes that little bit better?

We have a number of Italian films on DVD, as we use them a lot to practice listening skills.nWe also like to watch films in their original version (providing it is not Chinese, Japanese or Turkish... to name a few  ) My favourite film is Lucchino Visconti's Il Gattopardo, but I also have quite a few that I love, such as Mediterraneo, Malena, Il pranzo della Domenica... and I could go on and on...

I would agree with you regarding Il Gattopardo.  An absolutely superb film - really one of the all time great films - but still quite sad.  I also think I vaguely remember seeing Malena now that I think about it, but apart from that I don't remember it very well.  Malena was very very beautiful, and disliked by the women in the community who were jealous (if I remember correctly).  But I don't think I've come across Mediterraneo.  

I'd certainly be interested in other recommendations.

Most Italian comedies are firmly in the Carry On or Confession Of ...  tradition and are appalling to my mind, though Benevenuti al Sud was charming - filmed in Castellamare and very funny - a northerner who gets posted to work in Campania and is petrified of what will happen to him.  The sequel is terrible though - Benvenuti al Nord - don't waste your time.   
Also Qualunquemente - a pretty pithy comedy about a totally corrupt mayor in Calabria, bits of it make you laugh.   

On the other hand Italian voice overs are usually excellent so Keanu Reeves and Sly Stallone really can act in Italian - in fact I understood what he says in Rocky for the first time in my life when I watched it in Italian.

Carciofo wrote:I would agree with you regarding Il Gattopardo.  An absolutely superb film - really one of the all time great films - but still quite sad.  I also think I vaguely remember seeing Malena now that I think about it, but apart from that I don't remember it very well.  Malena was very very beautiful, and disliked by the women in the community who were jealous (if I remember correctly).  But I don't think I've come across Mediterraneo.  I'd certainly be interested in other recommendations.

Il Gattopardo is an absolute masterpiece, both the film and the book (which Mondadori rejected originally. It could be said that it is the Italian equivalent of "Gone with the wind".
Malena is sad and beautiful and Monica Belluci is fabulous in the role.
Another favourite of mine is Lucchino Visconti's L'Innocente. Sad again...
I agree with Mody in that many Italian comedies leave much to be desired, but Il Pranzo della Domenica is very witty and elegant.
And do try to watch "Mediterraneo", a jewel. I will go through our collection and give you more titles. Now, it's coffee time!

I love Mediterraneo,  you should also try L'Uomo delle Stelle set in the 1930's,  Il Postino (if only for the soundtrack), and Il ladro dei bambini, which is one of my very favourites.

Lest you think I am the sort of shallow person who only likes films with Walt Disney endings, I would like to clarify my assessment on depressing italian themes.  It's not that I don't appreciate films highlighting life's ultimately hopeless outcome but I'm not sure that they are the sort of material one wants to watch and endlessly re-watch in the quest of improving one's language skills.  

Oh dear - I've suddenly had a terrible thought:  what if foreigners use Eastenders in the same way, to "improve" their english?

This is a very good list of top Italian fims selected by the general public (not the film critics, with whom we may not always agree) Top Italian Films

Two of my personal favourites and for very different reasons;

Il Divo   and  Johnny Stecchino


Ps. I nearly forgot. The TV-Movie that was largely responsible for introducing me to foreign language cinema.

A Che Punto È La Notte   

I haven't watched Il Divo, but I have it on my "to do" list. Another film that I recommend is "Padre Padrone" (Father and Master).

Tilda Swinton is just brilliant. If I remember correctly her Spanish couldn't be faulted in The Limits of Control.

If we are talking Italian actors, I have to say up there at top is probably Roberto Benigni. He is very funny. Although my favourite film of his: Down By Law isn't Italian. It's really worth watching if you haven't seen it ''I screama, you screamaa, we all'a screamma for iceer-screeamaa''
 

Back to Italian films, I absolutely love Il Ladro di Bambini too. It's one of my favourite films even excluding the fact that it's Italian, it's a truly phenomenal film permanently lodged in my dvds.

There is another Italian film I love too... Lo Speriamo Che Me La Cavo but I haven't seen it for ages. It was on Film 4 yonks ago when it first took off. Back when they were pretending to be a good film channel and had mammoth weekends of excellent films. Stupidly I didn't record it. I have never been able to find it on DVD with english subtitles. There are some crazy priced american import dvds but my dvd player isn't multi regional. I like the option of english subtitles. If anyones ever seen it around- for region whatever we are- do shout!

Lo Speriamo .... is great - its on digital tv about twice a week! And Johnny Stecchino is brilliant - the best Benigni by far.   And then Id forgotten a film which made me laugh so much I nearly had an accident, which was Ricominciamo da tre with massimo troisi - but if you don't understand Neapolitan its not easy, but Troisi was a genius..

... not too sure how long it is, but is this it? YouTube LINK

.. should have added that the little girl was very amusing, despite the fact I could only understand 1 or 2 words in 10... It was the gestures that did it. A bit like old songs and players, I never know the names or take any notice, but seeing the clip I too think I've seen this film (also on 4 in the good old days of its youth).
Ok I've now looked (was sure it would be there) for the completo film, but best I can see are parts of it, not checked out if it makes the entire film... This is the link for the first part.. LINK

Yes that's it - it was filmed in Portici in Naples, and they used local kids who had never acted before, and being Neapolitans they were naturals.  It's about a teacher from Milan who gets posted to Naples, and tries to make a difference...as all the kids don't go to school, and the school doesn't give a damn, he goes and rounds them up.  He takes them out on day trips and all sorts.  Its a lovely film - but the kids are incredible.  Ive never seen a subtitled version.

if you use torrents you can find it easily.... although obviously you shouldn't.  If you have Italian dtv you can find it on cielo, or Lei at least once a month... sometimes twice in the same week.

Very naughty Modi torrents indeed.... Ok I've watched the first bit and remember it in parts, very amusing even without understanding most of it! Off to watch the second bit... By the way YTD is just as bad as that torrents thing (for youtube that is...)   

Modicasa wrote:....Ive never seen a subtitled version

.. not that I would have a clue how to use them, but guess if you know how to rip DVDs, then you will/may know.. http://www.podnapisi.net/en/io-speriamo-che-me-la-cavo-1992-subtitles-p773004

Very disappointed after watching the first 2 parts, can't see the rest... Will try to remember to stream it off in the UK when there and even perhaps look to add subtitles... Anyone want to buy a DVD!!  

Yes yes yes!!!! That's the film... awww such a great film. It's definitely the kiddies' acting that propel the film to it's lofty heights!
I couldn't find the whole film on Youtube but if you do.. do feel free to post links away.

I have no idea about torrents or how on earth to nick italian telly    
Stevegwms... If you do ever somehow come across a working subtitled dvd of the film feel free to send me a pm!!!

Thank you both for all the links, suggestions etc 


And Johnny Stecchino, definitely such a great film. Roberto Benigni wrote and directed that one as well didn't he?! As well as playing Dante AND Johnny. Such a talented guy. I just bow to his utter amazing-ness!!

Well I found I could buy the DVD "Io speriamo che me la cavo" HERE , but seeing this GUIDE on how to add subtitles I somehow think I wont be getting around to doing so....
Only look at the latter link if you need some sleep...

serendipity wrote: There is another Italian film I love too... Lo Speriamo Che Me La Cavo but I haven't seen it for ages. It was on Film 4 yonks ago when it first took off. Back when they were pretending to be a good film channel and had mammoth weekends of excellent films. Stupidly I didn't record it. I have never been able to find it on DVD with english subtitles. There are some crazy priced american import dvds but my dvd player isn't multi regional. I like the option of english subtitles. If anyones ever seen it around- for region whatever we are- do shout!

Region 2.

No subtitles I'm afraid, but if your Italian is up to it you can watch it in seven parts at this 'Dailymotion' link

Lo Speriamo Che Me La Cavo

If I can find a subtitled version I'll let you know.

Thanks Centauro, I just need join it up and to find out now how to add the subtitles to an MP4 file.... Or improve my Italian no end!!!