Italian Film in the Present Tense

Italian Film in the Present Tense challenges the notion that Italian cinema is in decline by highlighting its new sources of industrial strength, its re-placement of the Rome-centred studio system with regional film commissions, its contemporary breakthroughs on the aesthetic front, and its vital engagement with the changing economic and socio-political circumstances in twenty-first-century Italian life. The book presents a series of fourteen case studies, examining works that stand out for their formal brilliance and moral urgency, including renowned films such as Il Divo, Gomorrah, The Great Beauty, We Have a Pope, The Mafia Only Kills in the Summer, and Fire at Sea, as well as lesser-known works that deserve serious critical scrutiny.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2023
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

For those who closely follow the European film scene, the passing of Federico Fellini in 1993 has come to symbolize the decline of Italian cinema as a whole. However, Italian Film in the Present Tense presents compelling evidence to challenge this narrative of decline. Millicent Marcus delves into the various aspects that demonstrate the resilience and vitality of Italian cinema in the present day. She highlights the newfound industrial strength of the industry, the shift away from the centralized Rome-based studio system towards regional film commissions, the innovative aesthetic breakthroughs, and the crucial engagement with the evolving economic and socio-political realities of twenty-first-century Italian life. Through a comprehensive examination of works that excel in both formal brilliance and moral urgency, the book presents a series of fourteen case studies. These case studies encompass renowned films such as "Il Divo," "Gomorrah," "The Great Beauty," "We Have a Pope," "The Mafia Only Kills in the Summer," and "Fire at Sea," as well as lesser-known works that merit serious critical scrutiny. By analyzing these films and others, Italian Film in the Present Tense challenges the widely held perception of Italian cinema as stagnant in its post-Fellini moment. Instead, it acknowledges the ethical persistence and forward-looking currents that continue to shape Italian cinema in the present tense. This book is a valuable contribution to the field, offering a fresh perspective on the enduring legacy of Italian cinema and its ability to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing landscape of global filmmaking.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 224 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487546199