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Venice and Rome, pizza and pasta, love and romance, the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, beautiful women and sexy men – these are the associations that Italy evokes in most foreigners. Although thanks to them, not quite the right idea about the country is formed.
If you are interested in it, but there is no way to go there yet, we suggest getting to know Italian cinema better. Its distinguishing feature is its amazing diversity. A film trip will cost you much less, and you don’t even have to buy tickets. It is not for nothing that Italian cinema is loved all over the world, and some films are so popular that the number of remakes is increasing every year.
Below is a ranking of the best Italian films of all time. The list includes the 10 most popular films according to viewers and film critics.
10 Death in Venice (1971)
Drama by the famous Italian director Luchino Visconti. It touches on very important and even sensitive topics: life and death, same-sex love.
Composer Gustav von Aschenbach, in search of inspiration, goes to the Lido resort, which is located near Venice. Even here the musician cannot overcome the creative crisis. Soon his attention is attracted by a handsome young man who is resting here with his parents. Meanwhile, a cholera epidemic begins in the city. The authorities are silent about this so as not to frighten away tourists. Death in Venice is a sad film, emotionally complex. With this film, Visconti shows the ephemeral nature of all that is beautiful in life.
9. Road (1954)
Dramatic film by Federico Fellini, one of his most famous works.
The main characters are the circus strongman Zampano and the young girl Gelsomina. She was still just a child when her own mother sold her to an artist. Now Gelsomina is his assistant. Zampano is a rude and uncouth dork, he is used to solving all problems with the help of physical strength. Gelsomine also often gets from his “benefactor”. Despite the humiliation and beatings, the girl loves Zampano, for his sake she is ready for anything. Together they will try to find their place on the road of life…
8. Malena (2000)
A film by Giuseppe Tornatore starring the incomparable Monica Bellucci.
The tragic story of a beautiful woman. The film takes place during World War II. The beloved husband of the fatal beauty Malena went to war. In this city, she has no one else, except for her elderly father. This girl is the dream of all men, but the female half of the population hates her.
Gossip is the least that Malena had to endure. Soon she will find herself in an even more difficult situation, but she has a protector – the young man Renato. True, he is too young, so for the time being there is little he can do for his beloved …
7. The Good, the Bad, the Ugly (1966)
Cult western from Sergio Leone. Classics of the genre. The film “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly” was a huge success not only in Italy but all over the world.
1862 New Mexico. The protagonist – the criminal finds out about the missing Confederate gold. A man goes to the Wild West, hoping to find him. Fate brings him together with two of the same bandits. They enter into an agreement, because a small company is much easier to achieve this goal than alone. They understand that the union is temporary, and as soon as they find the gold, they will have to say goodbye. The criminals do not trust each other, quarrels and conflicts begin: they share the skin of an unkilled bear …
6. Legend of the Pianist (1998)
Musical drama by Giuseppe Tornatore. “The Legend of the Pianist” tells about the fate of a little boy. He was a baby when he was found on the Virginia. It was in a lemon box. Danny spent his whole life on a ship, he never went on board. No one knows how, but the boy learned to play the piano and became a musician. Soon Danny became a full member of the orchestra. A beautiful story that will surely sink into the soul of creative people.
5. Bluff (1976)
Crime comedy by Sergio Corbucci. All fans of Adriano Celentano should definitely watch it.
30s, France. The main character of the film “Bluff” Belle Duke is not just a beautiful woman, but also a very successful one. She owns a casino and takes part in “dark dealings”. Yes, Belle is a mobster. A woman wants to settle scores with her old enemy. Philip Bang is serving time in prison, but to get even with him, Duke is ready to organize an escape. But Philip turned out to be smarter and managed to circle the fatal beauty around his finger …
A bright and exciting picture that you will want to revisit more than once.
4. Perfect Strangers (2015)
Comedy drama by Paolo Genovese. Received a national award in the nomination “Best Film” and became a hit in the Italian box office.
Seven friends meet for dinner. They have known each other since childhood and it seems that there are no secrets between them. The hostess of the evening, Eva, for the sake of laughter, suggests that her friends read all the messages that come to the phone, and put the calls on the speakerphone. The usual “truth game” that teenagers love so much. True, these people have long gone out of adolescence. At first, friends find this idea amusing, but after a while, secrets are revealed that can ruin a long-term friendship. If you are interested in this story, watch the movie Perfect Strangers.
3. Best Offer (2012)
Another drama by Giuseppe Tornatore.
The protagonist of the film “The Best Offer” Virgil Oldman runs a leading auction house. He has a partner Billy, together they pull off clever scams, deceiving both buyers and sellers. Thanks to this, Oldman has amassed a large collection of art that is worth a fortune. Soon a young woman, Claire, approaches him. Recently, she became the owner of a good inheritance – a large number of antiques. She asks Virgil to deal with the sale, since the girl herself has some health problems – she is not all right with her psyche. After a while, the man realizes that he is in love with Claire …
2. Life is Beautiful (1997)
Tragic comedy by Roberto Benigni, which brought him two Oscars in the nominations “Best Director” and “Best Actor”.
The film Life is Beautiful takes place in 1939. Guido moves from the village to a small town. There he meets a young teacher, Dora. A spark flares up between them. Mutual love, what could be better? Guido and Dora get married and soon have a son. In this family, everything is too good, but nothing can last forever. The Second World War begins. Guido is Jewish. Everyone who has anything to do with this nationality is in danger …
1. The Taming of the Shrew (1980)
Comedy directed by Castellano and Pipolo.
The action takes place in a fictional Italian village. The protagonist of the film “The Taming of the Shrew” Elia is a bachelor. He is already 40, but even single women bypass him a mile away. Elia has a too complex character, he is rude and hates the weak sex. Fate gives him a chance to fix everything and brings him together with the beautiful Lisa. A sophisticated and spoiled townswoman was driving nearby, but her car broke down. She was forced to ask for help. Elia had to take her in. Lisa was greatly impressed by the fact that the man did not become another victim of her charms. Maybe not all is lost?