“La Grande Bellezza” (The Great Beauty) is a modern masterpiece of Italian cinema directed by Paolo Sorrentino. The film was release in 2013. This film takes viewers on a visually stunning journey through the decadent world of Rome’s high society. 

Why “La Grande Bellezza”?

“La Grande Bellezza” is a visually captivating and intellectually stimulating film that explores the themes of art, culture, and the search for meaning. It follows the life of Jep Gambardella, a writer reflecting on his past and the fleeting nature of beauty and desire in contemporary Rome.
 

Here’s why we recommend “La Grande Bellezza” to students and film enthusiasts:  

1. Contemporary Insight: The film provides a contemporary view of Italian society, offering a glimpse into the vibrant and sometimes surreal world of Rome’s elite.

2. Language and Culture: Watching “La Grande Bellezza” in its original Italian language allows viewers to immerse themselves in modern Italian culture and improve their language skills.

3. Thought-Provoking Themes: The film delves into philosophical and existential questions, making it an intellectually rewarding experience.

4. Acclaimed Filmmaking: “La Grande Bellezza” received critical acclaim worldwide, including an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, making it a standout in modern Italian cinema.

Who Should Watch “La Grande Bellezza”?

This film is suitable for those interested in contemporary Italian culture and society. It offers a visually striking and thought-provoking experience for both Italian learners and film enthusiasts.  

Explore Contemporary Italian Cinema

In addition to its critical acclaim, “La Grande Bellezza” has made a significant impact on modern Italian cinema. By watching this film, you’ll not only enjoy a cinematic gem but also gain a deeper understanding of contemporary Italian culture and the complexities of modern life. 

So, if you’re looking for a more recent and less traditional Italian film to dive into, don’t miss “La Grande Bellezza” and experience Paolo Sorrentino’s storytelling brilliance.  

Buona visione! 

* This document is for informational and educational purposes only. The digital images used are widely disseminated on the internet and therefore considered to be in the public domain, but whose copyright remains the exclusive property of the right holders. 

If you’re an Italian language learner looking for a film to practice your skills and learn more about the Italian culture, we highly recommend watching “Pane e Tulipani” (Bread and Tulips). 

“Pane e Tulipani” is a charming romantic comedy about Rosalba, a housewife who gets left behind by her tour bus on a family vacation and decides to embark on a solo adventure in Venice. Along the way, she meets a cast of quirky characters and discovers new passions and possibilities for her life. Rosalba finds in Venice kindness, mystery and opportunities for self-expression; everything that had been missing from her ordinary life. 

Director Silvio Soldini turns Venice, the tourist mecca of piazzas, canals, and stone bridges into a quaint little village out of time telling a warmhearted story of second chances.  

This film is ideal for intermediate to advanced Italian learners, as the dialogue is natural and conversational, and the setting and cultural references offer insight into daily life in Italy.  

You’ll pick up new vocabulary and grammar as you follow Rosalba’s journey, and you’ll be entertained by the witty script and engaging performances. 

“Pane e Tulipani” received critical acclaim and multiple awards, including the David di Donatello award for Best Film. 

Overall, “Pane e Tulipani” is a delightful and entertaining film that is both enjoyable to watch and beneficial for your Italian language skills. Give it a try and immerse yourself in the beauty of Italy and its language.  

Buona visione! 

* This document is for informational and educational purposes only. The digital images used are widely disseminated on the internet and therefore considered to be in the public domain, but whose copyright remains the exclusive property of the right holders. 

At Istituto Italiano Scuola we believe that a useful tool to learn Italian and improve our students’ listening skills is watching an Italian movie. You can also think of using the subtitles tool, in case you feel not ready to watch an entire movie in Italian. In this case you should watch it a first time with subtitles and then re-watch it a second time without them, trying to check if you can understand more of the dialogues having watched it already a first time with that little help. 

There are big masterpieces famous worldwide, like Federico Fellini’s movies, but we want to focus more on recent films, those that represent better the current Italian reality and culture. Since one of our non-profit goals is to spread the knowledge and love for the Italian culture, we believe that the following movies will help us succeed in our mission.  

Please note that we will give you recommendations on the starting level of Italian for each film, so that you can pick the ones that better fit your Italian learning journey.  

• “Io non ho paura”, by Gabriele Salvatores.  

Can be watched from Beginners 4 up.

It is an ideal movie for students with little Italian knowledge for its use of simple and easy to understand language. This movie gives a clear idea of life in Southern Italy, helping understand Italian matters less know abroad, like the season of kidnapping in Italy, which lasted over 17 years.  

• “Smetto quando voglio”, by Sidney Sibilia.  

Can be watched from Pre-Avanzato 1 up.

A movie that is best for our advanced students as it uses a more complex language, and the actors often use dialect expressions. It is perfect to learn more about the Italian drama of unemployment and temporary employment in a fun and entertaining way.   

• “L’incredibile storia dell’Isola delle Rose”, by Sidney Sibila.  

Can be watched from intermedio 1 up.

A movie unknown by the American public, but extremely interesting to discover something new and totally unexpected about Italy and the Italian lifestyle.   

• “Habemus Papam”, by Nanni Moretti. 

Can be watched from Elementare 1 up.  

Nanni Moretti is renowned for being one of the best contemporary movie directors, and this movie in particular is able to provide an unconventional and entertaining view on the Vatican and the Church reality in Italy.