Weekly Dose of Italian Culture #14
Welcome to the 14th edition of Weekly Dose of Italian Culture!
Italian Movie of the Week
La vita davanti a sé (The Life Ahead, 2020) is a touching drama featuring legendary Neapolitan actress Sophia Loren as Madame Rosa, a Holocaust survivor with a daycare business who decided to take in an immigrant boy (Momo, short for Mohammed) who robbed her. The main theme is the transformative power of love and compassion.
Set in Bari, La vita davanti a sé delves into the struggles of marginalized individuals, including immigrants and the elderly, and portrays how such unlikely bonds can offer hope and redemption.
Italian Song of the Week
This week’s Italian song is the classic Senza Parole (Without Words) by Vasco Rossi. Decades later, Vasco remains one of the most popular Italian rock musicians.
Famous Italian of the Week
Moana Pozzi (1961 - 1994) was a famous Italian pornographic actress and politician. Known simply as Moana, she was so well-known in Italy that when Disney released the movie Moana (more than 20 years after her death,) the title had to be changed to Oceania in Italy. Beyond potential jokes, keeping the original name posed a significant risk of exposing children to inappropriate content while searching for material related to the Disney movie.
Italian City of the Week
This week’s Italian city is the beautiful Bari. As the capital of the Puglia (Apulia) region, Bari remained off the radar for most tourists for decades. However, in recent years, it has experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks to social media, with more travelers venturing to discover this beautiful city and its incredible culinary delights.
A historic port city on the Adriatic Sea, Bari is renowned for its charming old town, Bari Vecchia, with narrow winding streets and ancient churches like the Basilica of Saint Nicholas. The city offers a vibrant atmosphere with seaside promenades, bustling markets, and a rich cultural scene. Bari serves as a gateway to the stunning landscapes of Puglia.
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