Small Dose of Italian Culture #32

Welcome to the 32nd edition of Small Dose of Italian Culture!

Italian Media

If you have Netflix, you may have access to the series Storia della mia famiglia (My Family, 2025), depending on your region. This drama, with comedic elements, offers some keen insights into Italian culture. It’s available with subtitles in both Italian and English.

If you're a beginner, feel free to watch with English subtitles. For more advanced learners, using Italian subtitles (or watching without any) will serve you best.

Italian Song

An absolute classic of Italian music is Un mondo d’amore by Gianni Morandi. Morandi has been a celebrated singer in Italy for over 60 years. This is one of his greatest successes.

Famous Italian

Alvaro Vitali (1950–2025) was a well-known and often controversial Italian actor. He began his film career with small roles in movies by legendary directors, including Federico Fellini.

Alvaro Vitali in Roma (1972)

However, he mostly rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s through his portrayal of Pierino, a mischievous schoolboy featured in a series of popular commedie sexy all’italiana (Italian erotic comedies).

Alvaro Vitali as Pierino

In later years, Vitali often complained that he was essentially forgotten by the industry. He also acknowledged having squandered much of the wealth he earned during his peak years, now relying on a modest pension to live.

This was in stark contrast with contemporaries like Lino Banfi, who managed to adapt and reinvent themselves into more serious roles.

During the final year of his life, director Carlo Verdone offered Vitali a dignified role in one of his television series. This brought him some much-needed financial relief as well as redemption.

Many people on social media expressed appreciation towards Verdone for his gesture, with many saying, “Carlo Verdone è un signore.” (Carlo Verdone is a gentleman). He was also the only celebrity at Vitali’s recent funeral.

Italian Landmarks and Events