Italian History, Societal Changes, and Culture through Film Lens

This course provides an introduction to Italian history, societal changes, and culture through the Italian film lens. 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. In this course the screening of 12 films will compare thematic and stylistic approaches of the masters with those of today’s directors and analyze how the changes have impacted the nation from the After war to present. A study on the representation of women in cinema will also be part of this study and the opportunity to visit the topic with our artist in residence Giovanna Taviani. It will be included also the study of the role of film in Italian society as well as the artistic and technical achievements for Italian filmmaking. With guidance from the instructor, students in groups will also conduct interviews with filmmakers and producers via skype or email.

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 Context.

3. Social Context of the Italian Film Industry;
Students will write short essays, and will lead in class presentations and discussions. There will be one final paper and exams

Required Texts: A course pack will be prepared by the instructor