Weekly Dose of Italian Culture #1
In this new weekly series, I'll be sharing elements of Italian culture in a fun and accessible way. Every edition of Weekly Dose of Italian Culture will include:
An Italian movie recommendation
A featured Italian song
A spotlight on a famous Italian personality
A fascinating geographical fact about Italy
An interesting piece of Italian history
An insight into an Italian custom or tradition
Without further ado, let’s dive into the first edition!
Italian Movie of the Week
This week’s Italian movie is La grande bellezza (The Great Beauty), a 2013 art drama directed by Paolo Sorrentino.
The film tells the story of Jep Gambardella, an aging, charismatic journalist who leads a lavish yet ultimately unfulfilling lifestyle. The "great beauty" in the title refers to the stunning backdrop of Rome, which plays a central role in the movie. It’s a visual masterpiece that makes you think about life, the search for meaning, and the fleeting nature of beauty.
A Neapolitan director, Sorrentino is often compared to cinematic giants like Fellini and Antonioni. La grande bellezza perfectly explains the why of such comparisons, with its dreamlike sequences, rich symbolism, and philosophical exploration of the human condition.
Italian Song of the Week
This week’s song is the powerful La cura (The Cure) by Sicilian singer Franco Battiato. Known for his eloquence and innovative sounds, Battiato often enriched his songs with a multitude of exotic cultural references.
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