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La Dolce Vita and the Golden Age of Italian Cinema: Neorealism and Beyond with Richard Bowen

La Dolce Vita and the Golden Age of Italian Cinema: Neorealism and Beyond with Richard Bowen


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Calling all movie fans! This interactive seminar will look at Italian neorealism cinema, considered by many as the Golden Age of Italian movie-making. We will explore the historical, cultural, and political influences upon the development of Italian neorealism cinema; the artistic changes that it produced, and the reaction of the general critics, and Italian governments to its rise. We will also discuss the domestic and international influence that it had on subsequent filmmaking. 

We will analyze many of the groundbreaking films produced, and talk about directors that made the movies. Some examples of films we will discuss are Bicycle Thieves, the Leopard, La Dolce Vita, and Rossellini's Roma Cittá Aperta. We'll explore how these films were influenced by the historical, cultural, and political milieus that were affecting Italy, and particularly post-war Italy at the time. It will evaluate the influence that it had on the general critics, and governments. We'll finish up by looking at the legacy neorealism has left both domestically, and internationally. Led by Richard Bowen, who has lived in Italy for over thirty years and is a guide for the city of Rome, this seminar is set to deepen participants' understanding of Italian cinema, with a focus on the rise and the influence of Italian neorealism cinema. 

Originally from England, Richard has lived in Rome for the last fourteen years. He holds a Master's degree in medieval and twentieth-century history from London University and has a broad-minded and synthetic approach to understanding Rome. Richard works quite frequently with institutional travel organizations, such as museums and church organizations, and as a result spends much of his time traveling all over Europe. He brings this cosmopolitan and pan-European experience to bear on his work with us in Rome, constantly making connections to other cities and countries in the course of his lectures and seminars.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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Cynthia A (Harrisburg, US)
Neorealism in Context

This was an excellent presentation! I came away with a deeper understanding of the underlying artistic and social-political influences on Neorealism in Italian cinema. Richard provided a very well organized presentation of the topic which made it easy to follow, given the amount of information he shared in a short amount of time. He described the context of the times, defined terms, explained connections, gave examples, and offered suggestions on films, The film clips and the quotes by filmmakers gave depth to the powerpoint presentation. This was one of the best Context Conversations I have participated in. I actually wanted more... so I hope for additional conversations on the topic of Italian cinema!

J
Jane Joseph (Philadelphia, US)
Great background, makes you want to rent these films

Good survey and explanation of how neorealism developed from the hardship of the post-war years and how it differed from earlier cinema.

A
Anonymous

Guest did not leave comment

M
Margaret (Colts Neck, US)

I found this to be very informative and learned how politics and writers influenced the film industry.

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
100%
(4)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
Cynthia A (Harrisburg, US)
Neorealism in Context

This was an excellent presentation! I came away with a deeper understanding of the underlying artistic and social-political influences on Neorealism in Italian cinema. Richard provided a very well organized presentation of the topic which made it easy to follow, given the amount of information he shared in a short amount of time. He described the context of the times, defined terms, explained connections, gave examples, and offered suggestions on films, The film clips and the quotes by filmmakers gave depth to the powerpoint presentation. This was one of the best Context Conversations I have participated in. I actually wanted more... so I hope for additional conversations on the topic of Italian cinema!

J
Jane Joseph (Philadelphia, US)
Great background, makes you want to rent these films

Good survey and explanation of how neorealism developed from the hardship of the post-war years and how it differed from earlier cinema.

A
Anonymous

Guest did not leave comment

M
Margaret (Colts Neck, US)

I found this to be very informative and learned how politics and writers influenced the film industry.