September 19, 2014
Cinema italiano begins Sept. 23
Submitted by Christopher Renner
Another semester of Cinema italiano will begin at 7 p.m Sept. 23 with the screening of the Academy Award-winning film "La vita è bella," or "Life is Beautiful" in 008 Eisenhower Hall. This semester's edition of Cinema italiano will look at the evolution of the Italian family from the WWII to the present day.
Film synopsis: In this WWII tragicomedy, famed Italian funnyman Roberto Benigni portrays Guido, who moves during the '30s from the country to a Tuscan town, where he is entranced by schoolteacher Dora, played by Nicoletta Braschi, Benigni's real-life wife.
Meanwhile, anti-Semitic attitudes lead to attacks against Guido's Jewish uncle, played by Giustino Durano. Leaping ahead, during WWII, Guido and Dora are married and have a son Giosue, played by Giorgio Cantarini. After they are imprisoned in a concentration camp, Guido goes to elaborate lengths to keep his son from understanding the truth of their situation. The film is 116 minutes long.
Other Cinema italiano films for the semester will included:
- "Divorzio all’italiana," 1961, Tuesday, Oct. 14
- "C’eravamo tanto amati," 1974, Tuesday, Oct. 28
- "Le fate ignoranti," 2001, Tuesday, Nov. 11
- "Pranzo di ferragosto," 2008, Tuesday, Dec. 9
All films will be shown in 008 Eisenhower Hall and are projected in Italian.
Cinema italiano provides an opportunity for K-State faculty and students to expand their Italian language skills and are open to the community. Study guides are available by contacting Christopher Renner at renner@k-state.edu.