The well known Italian quote states: “They make movies in Rome, but they make T.V. in Milan”. While Milan is considered Italy’s economical & financial capital, it is not considered the capital of cinema; however, it must be noted that more than just secondary productions have been made in Milan. The course provides a general overview of Milan’s cinematic history, emphasizing Milanese movies where contemporary Milanese directors, actors and actresses play an important role. Topics covered in the course include: Milanese film masterpieces; “cop” movies and the Milanese gangs of the 1960s and 1970s; “Milano da bere” movies, which examine Milan during the 1980s; Milanese directors, including Nichetti, Salvatores and Soldini; and contemporary movies. In addition, the course aims to focus on particular moments of Italian history of the 1960s, as well as on typical features of Milanese cinema. Films introduce students to the social, economical, political and artistic aspects that outline the history and culture of the capital of Lombardy.
Prerequisites:
No previous background in film studies or gender studies is required.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, students are able to:
• Identify the most significant historical, cultural and social characteristics in Milan from 1945 to the present day and how these characteristics were unique to Milanese films;
• Recognize social, economic, political and artistic movements and the effect these movements had on movies filmed during those specific times.
Method of presentation:
Lecture; viewing of selected scenes of films aid course lectures; in-class debates; two field studies exploring locations where selected movies were filmed; guest speakers, including famous Milanese actors and actresses.
Required work and form of assessment:
Attendance & class participation* (35%); mid-term exam (25%); final paper (25%); oral presentation** (15%).
*Class Participation: Participation in class debates factors into the overall assessment.
**Oral Presentation: one oral presentation required of all students, accompanied by an 8-10 page written essay of a film, director, or specific issue.
content:
List of topics and films discussed in each class session:
1. Introducing Italian cinema: Italy after World War II and neo-realism
2. What it is to be Milanese: Characteristic features of Milan, from maps to history, from typical dishes to dialect, from music to theatre, from traditions to flaws (film passages such as Totò, Peppino e … la mafemmina)
3. Masterpieces
- Miracolo a Milano, by Vittorio De Sica (1950)
- Rocco e i suoi fratelli, by Luchino Visconti (1960)
- La notte, by Michelangelo Antonioni (1961)
4. Detective movies in Milan
- Milano calibro 9, by Fernando Di Leo (1972)
- Scerbanenco’s Milan
5. “Cop” movies in Milan
- the poliziotteschi
- an outlook on the “mala” (Milanese gangs)
6. Field study
7. “Milano da bere” and the world of fashion
- Sotto il vestito niente, by Vanzina (1985)
- Via Montenapoleone (1987)
- Fashion as the pretext to shoot commercial movies
- paninari e tifo calcistico. Abantantuono, Celentano, Calà
8. Salvatores
- Kamikazen – Ultima notte a Milano (1987)
- Mediterraneo, Puerto escondido, Turnée: some “classics” and some observations
- A summary of his latest filmography
9. Field study or guest speaker
10. Nichetti
- Ratataplan (1979). His beginnings, his mime activity, his theatre in Milan.
- Ho fatto splash (1980), Ladri di saponette (1989)
- Stefano Quantestorie (1993), Honolulu baby (2000)
11. Soldini
- L’aria serena dell’ovest (1990), Un’anima divisa in due (1993)
- Pane e tulipani (2000) to a Giorni e Nuvole (2007)
12. Contemporary movies
- Fame chimica, by Bocola e Vari (2003)
- A casa nostra by Francesca Comencini (2006)
Required readings:
Course pack and handouts prepared by the teacher include:
Brunetta, Gian Piero. Guida alla storia del cinema italiano. PBE Einaudi: 2003 (selected chapters); “Cent'anni di cinema italiano” (vol.2. 'Dal 1945 ai giorni nostri'), Laterza Bari, 2004 (selected sections).
Bordwell, Thompson. Storia del cinema e dei film, Il castoro. Milano: 1998.
Martini, Giulio. I luoghi del cinema. Cinecittà Holding/Touring Club Italiano: 2005.
Micciché, Lino. Cinema italiano degli anni '60 e oltre.
Marsilio, Venezia : 1996. (pp. 37-43, 101-104, 110-113, 333-345)
Pasculli, Ettore. Milano cinema prodigio. Canl & i Nodi, Milano: 1998.
The well known Italian quote states: “They make movies in Rome, but they make T.V. in Milan”. While Milan is considered Italy’s economical & financial capital, it is not considered the capital of cinema; however, it must be noted that more than just secondary productions have been made in Milan. The course provides a general overview of Milan’s cinematic history, emphasizing Milanese movies where contemporary Milanese directors, actors and actresses play an important role. Topics covered in the course include: Milanese film masterpieces; “cop” movies and the Milanese gangs of the 1960s and 1970s; “Milano da bere” movies, which examine Milan during the 1980s; Milanese directors, including Nichetti, Salvatores and Soldini; and contemporary movies. In addition, the course aims to focus on particular moments of Italian history of the 1960s, as well as on typical features of Milanese cinema. Films introduce students to the social, economical, political and artistic aspects that outline the history and culture of the capital of Lombardy.
No previous background in film studies or gender studies is required.
By the end of the course, students are able to:
• Identify the most significant historical, cultural and social characteristics in Milan from 1945 to the present day and how these characteristics were unique to Milanese films;
• Recognize social, economic, political and artistic movements and the effect these movements had on movies filmed during those specific times.
Lecture; viewing of selected scenes of films aid course lectures; in-class debates; two field studies exploring locations where selected movies were filmed; guest speakers, including famous Milanese actors and actresses.
Attendance & class participation* (35%); mid-term exam (25%); final paper (25%); oral presentation** (15%).
*Class Participation: Participation in class debates factors into the overall assessment.
**Oral Presentation: one oral presentation required of all students, accompanied by an 8-10 page written essay of a film, director, or specific issue.
List of topics and films discussed in each class session:
1. Introducing Italian cinema: Italy after World War II and neo-realism
2. What it is to be Milanese: Characteristic features of Milan, from maps to history, from typical dishes to dialect, from music to theatre, from traditions to flaws (film passages such as Totò, Peppino e … la mafemmina)
3. Masterpieces
- Miracolo a Milano, by Vittorio De Sica (1950)
- Rocco e i suoi fratelli, by Luchino Visconti (1960)
- La notte, by Michelangelo Antonioni (1961)
4. Detective movies in Milan
- Milano calibro 9, by Fernando Di Leo (1972)
- Scerbanenco’s Milan
5. “Cop” movies in Milan
- the poliziotteschi
- an outlook on the “mala” (Milanese gangs)
6. Field study
7. “Milano da bere” and the world of fashion
- Sotto il vestito niente, by Vanzina (1985)
- Via Montenapoleone (1987)
- Fashion as the pretext to shoot commercial movies
- paninari e tifo calcistico. Abantantuono, Celentano, Calà
8. Salvatores
- Kamikazen – Ultima notte a Milano (1987)
- Mediterraneo, Puerto escondido, Turnée: some “classics” and some observations
- A summary of his latest filmography
9. Field study or guest speaker
10. Nichetti
- Ratataplan (1979). His beginnings, his mime activity, his theatre in Milan.
- Ho fatto splash (1980), Ladri di saponette (1989)
- Stefano Quantestorie (1993), Honolulu baby (2000)
11. Soldini
- L’aria serena dell’ovest (1990), Un’anima divisa in due (1993)
- Pane e tulipani (2000) to a Giorni e Nuvole (2007)
12. Contemporary movies
- Fame chimica, by Bocola e Vari (2003)
- A casa nostra by Francesca Comencini (2006)
Course pack and handouts prepared by the teacher include:
Brunetta, Gian Piero. Guida alla storia del cinema italiano. PBE Einaudi: 2003 (selected chapters); “Cent'anni di cinema italiano” (vol.2. 'Dal 1945 ai giorni nostri'), Laterza Bari, 2004 (selected sections).
Bordwell, Thompson. Storia del cinema e dei film, Il castoro. Milano: 1998.
Martini, Giulio. I luoghi del cinema. Cinecittà Holding/Touring Club Italiano: 2005.
Micciché, Lino. Cinema italiano degli anni '60 e oltre.
Marsilio, Venezia : 1996. (pp. 37-43, 101-104, 110-113, 333-345)
Pasculli, Ettore. Milano cinema prodigio. Canl & i Nodi, Milano: 1998.