Seeing as I'm subbing for the Theatre teacher today, I'm all in the mood to talk about Italian Film. This can include both films about Italy and films by Italians. Forgive me, those of you who are HUGE film fans, but I'm going to make this super-simplified, and keep the examples down to one or two, just for simplicity. Since we just experienced the Oscars, I'm going to focus on movies which scored in one category or another. If you have more to suggest, please feel free to share!!!
A great way to prepare your ear for immersion is by watching film or TV shows in the Italian language. And two CANNOT-MISS Italian directors are Federico Fellini and Roberto Benigni. Fellini's "8 1/2" was recently alluded to in "Nine", and, if you're looking for his most recognized, classic film, a 1960 Oscar winner, check out "La Dolce Vita". Benigni's 1997 film, "La Vita e Bella", is also a winner of 3 Oscars, a beautiful depiction and excellent blend of comedy and tragedy. And the two leads are Benigni and his wife (in real life, and in the film).
After viewing these two, you'll probably want to go for a good, light comedy. May I recommend Benigni's "Johnny Stecchino", a comedy of errors about the Mafia? Not exactly an Oscar winner . . . but a good giggle!
While we're in Siena, they have several great programs for the arts. If you prefer the music scene, keep your eye on the Chigiana's concerts. Their Summer Music Week usually starts sometime during the second week of our stay - http://www.chigiana.it/ - they haven't posted this summer's plans yet (usually is updated by early June). Siena Jazz is something which just started up a few years ago, but was so big that they had a Day, where there were Jazz combos playing all over town - http://www.sienajazz.it/ - they have posted information about their summer study courses, but nothing about concerts yet. If you're a film fan, you may want to attend the "Cinema in Fortezza" for a few of our nights during our stay? Almost every evening (except on the Palio, I think) they show a movie, drive-in-style, in the Fortezza. When we do our walking tour on the first day, I'll take you out to the Fortezza - my favorite spot in town. How fun to sit in the Medici Fortress and watch a modern or classic film!
While we're sharing websites, here's the City of Siena website: http://www.comune.siena.it/main.asp?id=0 Please, did you expect me to give you English websites? Be adventurous! Don't hit the translation button!!!
Want a movie view of Siena? You can see an EVENING PRACTICE RUN of the Palio at the beginning of "Quantum of Solace."
I have noticed that films are one of the best ways to spark images in your mind, as you prepare to visit a new place. Any way to make the novel, familiar, enhances your travel experience all the more! My favorite Rome film is "Roman Holiday" - see Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, both at their best! And the views of Rome aren't too bad, either . . . Or, perhaps you prefer something a little more suspenseful? How 'bout "Angels and Demons"? There are always those terrible, cheesy movies which wring out/strangle the romantic essence of Rome and Tuscany, including a movie which was released just this year, and another one recently done by a popular TV actress/music performer. "Under the Tuscan Sun" was a great book, and, while I'm not the biggest fan of the movie, it does show great shots of Toscana. Please don't think badly of the filming location, just because the movie is painful.
Cinecitta is where films are done in Rome, so if you're in the mood to search, you can find MANY recognizable titles which were created on the site! It's one of the stops on one of the (two - working on three) subway lines, but I'm not going to encourage you to go there when we're in Rome. Takes too much time to see too little. We'll see if we can "stalk" out a team in production in the middle of the city. Past SPI groups have visited the "Ocean's 12" trailers in the Villa Borghese, tromped on the catwalks of the fashion shows put on throughout Rome by Versace for his 50th (60th? 75th?) birthday, been in the Campo in Siena while they were filming for "Quantum of Solace" . . . don't worry - if there's filming to pursue, we'll find it.
If you have a gem to share, please feel free to do so! I'm always open to new suggestions!
un' abbracio,
Laura :)
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