Category: Italian Cinema

Drama, Film, Italian Cinema, Neo Realism, Review

Fellini’s “Nights of Cabiria” (1957)

Nights of Cabiria_.jpg

 

Director: Federico Fellini

Writers: Federico Fellini (story), Ennio Flaiano (story)

Married to Federico Fellini (perhaps why we have a feminist piece)? Who directed this.

Beautiful story about a woman seeking to just be loved for who she is.

 

1) Where is it on following the Bechdel Test: 5

2) Strength of the writing: 5

3) Strength of the directing: 5

4) Strength of the acting: 5

5) Strength of the cinematography: 5

6) Strength of the editing: 5

7) Strength of the sound design: 5

8) Strength of the production design: 5

9) Did I enjoy it? 5

10) Would I recommend it? 5

Score: 50/50

Drama, Film, Italian Cinema, Neo Realism, Review, Women in Film

Rossellini’s “Rome, Open City” (1945)

romeopencity1

Director: Roberto Rossellini

Writers: Sergio Amidei (screenplay) (as A. Amidei), Federico Fellini (collaboration on screenplay) (as F. Fellini)

 

Anna Magnani portrays Pina with one of the most powerful scenes in cinematic history.

1) Where is it on following the Bechdel Test: 5

2) Strength of the writing: 5

3) Strength of the directing: 5

4) Strength of the acting: 5

5) Strength of the cinematography: 5

6) Strength of the editing: 5

7) Strength of the sound design: 5

8) Strength of the production design: 5

9) Did I enjoy it? 5

10) Would I recommend it? 5

Score: 50/50

Italian Cinema, Neo Realism, Review

De Sica’s “The Bicycle Thief” (“Ladri di Biciclette”) – 1948

ladri di biciclette

Director: Vittorio De Sica

Writers: Cesare Zavattini (story), Luigi Bartolini (novel)

I’m purposefully taking off the Bechdel Test question here because it fails but this film is too important to have less than a perfect score. The fact that it fails the Bechdel Test is actually adds to the story.
1) Strength of the writing: 5
2) Strength of the directing: 5
3) Strength of the acting: 5
4) Strength of the cinematography: 5
5) Strength of the editing: 5
6) Strength of the sound design: 5
7) Strength of the production design: 5
8) Did I enjoy it? 5
9) Would I recommend it? 5
Total scores out of 45/45

Film, Italian Cinema, Review, Spaghetti Western, Uncategorized, western

Segio Leone’s “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1966)

the good the bad the ugly

Director: Sergio Leone

Writers: Luciano Vincenzoni (story), Sergio Leone (story)

Score by Ennio Morricone

Cinematography by: Tonino Delli Colli

Gorgeous cinematography with it’s sweeping widescreen, long shots and close ups.

1) Strength of the writing: 5

2) Strength of the directing: 5

3) Strength of the acting: 5

4) Strength of the cinematography: 5

5) Strength of the editing: 5

6) Strength of the sound design: 5

7) Strength of the production design: 5

8) Did I enjoy it? 5

9) Would I recommend it? 5

Score: 45/45

Film, Italian Cinema, Review

Benigni’s “Life is Beautiful” (1997)

Life-is-Beautiful.jpg

Director: Roberto Benigni

Writers: Vincenzo Cerami (story and screenplay by), Roberto Benigni

Stars: Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini

One of the most beautiful films about family and tragedy.

1) Where is it on following the Bechdel Test: 5
2) Strength of the writing: 5
3) Strength of the directing: 5
4) Strength of the acting: 5
5) Strength of the cinematography: 5
6) Strength of the editing: 5
7) Strength of the sound design: 5
8) Strength of the production design: 5
9) Did I enjoy it? 5
10) Would I recommend it? 5
Score: 50/50