# Film recommendations for italophile **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 15, 2004, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542 "2004-06-15T20:46:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eb8c5e/32.png) [@gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gentle)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/1 "2004-06-15T20:46:58Z")
Trying to find something particularly good for my italophile father’s birthday. A sample of the films he likes: [ul] [li]_Il Postino_ (aka _The Postman_)[/li][li]Fellini’s _Amarcord_ and _Satyricon_[/li][li]Tornatore’s _Malèna_ and _Cinema Paradiso_[/li][/ul] Some of Fellini’s films, such as _Roma_, he finds too noisy and confusing, however. Other recommendations? ---
**Author:** ![haardvark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@haardvark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/haardvark)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/2 "2004-06-15T22:42:35Z")
\Caro Diario\, by Nanni Moretti ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/3 "2004-06-15T22:48:10Z")
Well, you’ve got earlier, more “earthy” Fellini: _I Vitelloni, La Strada_ or _The Nights of Cabiria_. Plus, of course, the incredible _La Dolce Vita_. You’ve also got the works of Roberto Rossellini & Vittorio De Sica. Though I think the former is a better filmmaker, the latter tends to be more accessible and audience-friendly to the non-arthouse types. _The Bicycle Thief_ is the one everyone knows, but _Shoeshine_ is its equal (at least) and is on DVD. _General Della Rovere_ is good, too, and _The Gold of Naples_ is a lot of fun. Generally speaking, I’d steer clear of Pasolini & Antonioni in this situation (though they’re both terrific in their own right). Some other directors you might try are Francesco Rosi (_Salvatore Giuliano_), Luchino Visconti (_Ossessione_ or _Rocco and His Brothers_), and the Taviani Brothers (_Night of the Shooting Stars_). Needless to say, most of the films I’ve listed are in B&W, if that’s an issue. Also, Martin Scorsese made a wonderful film about his love of Italian Cinema called _My Voyage to Italy_. Not only are his observations interesting and personal, but he’s very generous in the clips he shows and the analysis he makes, so it’s a great source if you want to explore some classics but don’t know where to start. ---
**Author:** ![gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eb8c5e/32.png) [@gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gentle)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2004, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/4 "2004-06-15T23:10:53Z")
**ArchiveGuy** , thanks for the recommendations. I will check them out. I think I want to steer clear of older black/white titles, especially because I know my father is familiar with the classics (such as the ones you mention); in fact, I’d rather stay away from established classics altogether and rather hear about the lesser-known masterpieces, preferably after 1970, and most preferably 1980s/90s/00s. I should mention that narrative cohesion is a must, so avant-garde cinema is definitely out. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/5 "2018-12-22T17:47:35Z")
Vittorio De Sica is my favorite director, period, and he’s made many masterpieces (Umberto D, Shoeshine, The Roof, Bicycle Thieves, etc). His worst one was in English (with Clift)… Luchino Visconti is a very good one, especially “La Terra Trema” (The Earth Trembles) and “Bellisima” I’m not a big Fellini fan, but my #2 all-time is “La Strada” ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/6 "2018-12-22T18:39:26Z")
Here are some lists giving various people’s choices for the best Italian films since 1970: > **[The best Italian movies of the last 25 years - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/list/ls052476899/)** > > The best Italian movies of the last 25 years > **[10 great Italian films of the 1970s](https://www.bfi.org.uk/lists/10-great-italian-films-1970s)** > > Fellini, Argento and Antonioni are included in our round-up of some of the best Italian cinema to come out of the 1970s. > **[10 good contemporary Italian films to watch - Cactus Blog](http://www.cactusworldwide.com/blog/2011/04/04/10-good-contemporary-italian-films-to-watch/)** > > It may be classic films like La Dolce Vita which Italian cinema is most famous for, but over the last couple of decades there have been lots of good films to come out of Italy, including the following... > **[6 Must-See Contemporary Italian Movies on Netflix](https://www.bestmoviesbyfarr.com/articles/italian-netflix-movies/2016/04)** > > 6 Must-See Contemporary Italian Movies on Netflix > **[BEST ITALIAN CONTEMPORARY FILMS - Movie list](https://mubi.com/lists/best-italian-contemporary-films)** > > A selection of the best italian contemporary films, from the ’80s till now. Seen through the eyes of a twenty-four years old guy, the films create a mosaic... My personal favorite Italian films since 1970 are these: _Amarcord_ (1974, Italy, dir. Federico Fellini) _Army of Shadows_ (1969, France/Italy, dir. Jean-Pierre Melville) _Seven Beauties_ (1976, Italy, dir. Lina Wertmuller) _The Tree of Wooden Clogs_ (1978, Italy, dir. Ermanno Olmi) Yeah, I realize that _Army of Shadows_ is a year early and is actually an French/Italian co-production. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/7 "2018-12-22T19:07:19Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Here are some lists giving various people’s choices for the best Italian films since 1970: > > [The best Italian movies of the last 25 years - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/list/ls052476899/) > [10 great Italian films of the 1970s](https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/10-great-italian-films-1970s) > [10 good contemporary Italian films to watch - Cactus Blog](http://www.cactusworldwide.com/blog/2011/04/04/10-good-contemporary-italian-films-to-watch/) > [6 Must-See Contemporary Italian Movies on Netflix | Best Movies by Farr](https://www.bestmoviesbyfarr.com/articles/italian-netflix-movies/2016/04) > [BEST ITALIAN CONTEMPORARY FILMS - Movies List on MUBI](https://mubi.com/lists/best-italian-contemporary-films) > > My personal favorite Italian films since 1970 are these: > > _Amarcord_ (1974, Italy, dir. Federico Fellini) > _Army of Shadows_ (1969, France/Italy, dir. Jean-Pierre Melville) > _Seven Beauties_ (1976, Italy, dir. Lina Wertmuller) > _The Tree of Wooden Clogs_ (1978, Italy, dir. Ermanno Olmi) > > Yeah, I realize that _Army of Shadows_ is a year early and is actually an French/Italian co-production. Thanks for the links - I’ll check em out. I saw the movies you’ve mentioned, pretty good, sounds like you prefer the comedy stuff. If you haven’t seen it already, you might like “Il Sorpasso” which is kind of a fun movie… Personally, I prefer conversational movies. ---
**Author:** ![Royal\_Nonesutch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Royal\_Nonesutch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Royal_Nonesutch)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/8 "2018-12-22T19:14:57Z")
I think that “Life Is Beautiful” is a sweet movie, although it seems like it is kind of a “Love It or Hate It” type film for a lot of people. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/9 "2018-12-22T19:17:52Z")
_Amarcord_ is a comedy in some ways, I suppose, and there are darkly comic aspects of _Seven Beauties_, but I wouldn’t call the other two comedies. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/10 "2018-12-22T19:26:18Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > _Amarcord_ is a comedy in some ways, I suppose, and there are darkly comic aspects of _Seven Beauties_, but I wouldn’t call the other two comedies. Yes, I was thinking of those two and thought it was a preference… Personally, I can’t seem to laugh much at movies labeled as “comedies”, maybe except for one of the final scenes from “Never On Sunday” when Mercouri is throwing “cultured” items while spouting philosophy… I find humor in “Harry and Tonto”, “La Strada”, “One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest” (Psychiatrist: I don’t seem to understand; RP: “See, I’m smarter than he is!”), “Buffalo '66”. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/11 "2018-12-22T19:35:57Z")
[_Johnny Stecchino_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102164/) ‘A kindhearted but bumbling idiot who likes to steal bananas, is passed off for a snitch hiding from the mob.’ [_Night On Earth_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102536/) has a segment that takes place in Rome. (Yes, I like Roberto Benigni.) ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2018, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/12 "2018-12-22T23:52:09Z")
Big Night … [Big Night (1996) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115678/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_60) Especially if your are a Foodie… (I’m lookin’ at you Johnny) ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/13 "2018-12-23T01:20:14Z")
There’s a short one-character film called “Una Voce Umana” or “The Human Voice.” Sophia Loren gave a quite riveting performance about four years ago. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/14 "2018-12-23T10:40:44Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [_Johnny Stecchino_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102164/) > ‘A kindhearted but bumbling idiot who likes to steal bananas, is passed off for a snitch hiding from the mob.’ > > [_Night On Earth_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102536/) has a segment that takes place in Rome. > > (Yes, I like Roberto Benigni.) Matti Pellonpaa is one of my favorite actors, who plays the Finnish cab driver. He’s in a lot of Kaurismaki pictures. My favorite being “Shadows in Paradise”. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/15 "2018-12-23T22:39:50Z")
[Mediterraneo](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102426/)! Okay, it’s set in Greece, but it’s an Italian production with Italian and Greek actors. In WWII, eight guys who are the dregs of the Italian army are sent to a remote Greek island, strategic value zilch, to “observe and report”, meaning stay the hell out of the way. A lot happens, very little of it military, and the ending, or rather both endings, will break your heart. And **MortSahlFan** , with ya on Matti P. He’s one of the few actors whose death brought tears to my eyes. You’ve seen **Leningrad Cowboys** , have you not? 😉 Ditto on Benigni, **Johnny L.A.**. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/film-recommendations-for-italophile/250542/16 "2018-12-23T23:11:54Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > [Mediterraneo](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102426/)! Okay, it’s set in Greece, but it’s an Italian production with Italian and Greek actors. In WWII, eight guys who are the dregs of the Italian army are sent to a remote Greek island, strategic value zilch, to “observe and report”, meaning stay the hell out of the way. A lot happens, very little of it military, and the ending, or rather both endings, will break your heart. > > And **MortSahlFan** , with ya on Matti P. He’s one of the few actors whose death brought tears to my eyes. You’ve seen **Leningrad Cowboys** , have you not? 😉 Ditto on Benigni, **Johnny L.A.**. I saw both Leningrad movies. Matti was great in every movie, including Arvomatt, Take Care of Your Scarf, Tatiana, La vie Boheme, was also great in a supporting role, Ariel, which was the first one I saw of Kaurismaki… As well as a few with Mika. He also seemed like a really cool guy off the screen. So young. Patrick Dewaere, too, who seemed to enhance every movie he was in.