This course provides an introduction to Italian history, societal changes, and culture through the lens of film. The objective of this course is to gain a better understanding of the often complex mechanism of Italian politics, the intriguing regional differences, and the cultural development that have shaped the Italian Republic. Through the screening of 12 films, this survey will focus on cinema from the 40s to the contemporary Italian film scene. The representation of women in cinema will be a part of this study, including the opportunity to visit the topic with our artist in residence. It will be included also the study the role of film in Italian society as well as the unique artistic and technical achievements and obstacles for Italian filmmakers.

Topics covered include:
1. Basics of Film Language;
2. Elements of Italian History with specific attention from the ‘60 to the present and including: Religion, Gender, and Sexuality, Industrialization, Internal Migration, Northern/Southern Italy divide in a Global South Context.
3. Social Context of the Italian Film Industry;
Required Texts: The student will receive a course pack including detailed preparatory material for individual film screenings prepared by the instructor.

Films to Be Screened:
I bambini ci guardano (1943) di Vittorio De Sica
Ossessione (1943) di Luchino Visconti
Una giornata particolare (1977) di Ettore Scola
Riso amaro (1949) di Beppe De Santis
Mimì metallurgico ferito nell'onore (1972) di Lina Wertmuller
Mio fratello è figlio unico (2007) di Daniele Luchetti
I giorni e le nuvole (2002) di Silvio Soldini
Per amore vostro (2014) di Vincenzo Gaudino
Caterina va in città (2003) di Paolo Virzì
Baci mai dati (2010) di Roberta Torre
Miele (2013) di Valeria Golino
La prima luce (2015) di Vincenzo Marra