Divorce Italian Style
On the occasion of the International Day of Families, we’re focusing on Italian cinema of the 1960s that reflects the transformation of society brought about by the post-war economic boom (aka the “Economic Miracle”). These films tackle subjects including women’s entrance into the workforce, divorce, abortion, sex work, and the social shift toward individuality as a result of capitalist consumerism.
Fists in the Pocket
(I pugni in tasca)
A deeply disturbed young man decides to murder members of his dysfunctional family for supposedly altruistic reasons.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Italy • 1965
- Director Marco Bellocchio
- Cast Lou Castel, Paola Pitagora, Marino Masé, Liliana Gerace, Pier Luigi Troglio, Jeannie McNeil
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Kanopy
I Knew Her Well
(Io la conoscevo bene)
A young woman from the Italian countryside moves to Rome hoping to become a star, but discovers the business’s dark side instead.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Italy, France, West Germany • 1965
- Director Antonio Pietrangeli
- Cast Stefania Sandrelli, Mario Adorf, Jean-Claude Brialy, Joachim Fuchsberger, Nino Manfredi
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube
Marriage Italian Style
(Matrimonio all'italiana)
A businessman's mistress of 20 years learns he plans to marry a young woman and schemes to protect her family's interests.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Italy, France • 1964
- Director Vittorio De Sica
- Cast Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Aldo Puglisi, Tecla Scarano, Marilù Tolo, Gianni Ridolfi
- Genre Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Available on Criterion Channel, Kino Film Collection, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Kanopy, Hoopla
Red Desert
(Il deserto rosso)
Her tenuous grip on reality is starting to slip... can a new man save her or will it only get worse?
- Italy, France • 1964
- Director Michelangelo Antonioni
- Cast Monica Vitti, Richard Harris, Carlo Chionetti, Xenia Valderi, Rita Renoir, Lili Rheims
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Max
Il Sorpasso
(Il sorpasso)
Two very different men take a road trip around Italy and learn more about each other's lives and perspectives.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Italy • 1962
- Director Dino Risi
- Cast Vittorio Gassman, Catherine Spaak, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Claudio Gora, Luciana Angiolillo, Linda Sini
- Genre Comedy, Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Apple TV, Amazon Video
Accattone
The poor man's "La Dolce Vita."
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Italy • 1961
- Director Pier Paolo Pasolini
- Cast Franco Citti, Franca Pasut, Silvana Corsini, Paola Guidi, Adriana Asti, Luciano Conti
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel
Divorce Italian Style
(Divorzio all'italiana)
How do you end a marriage when divorce is illegal? It's easier than you think.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Italy • 1961
- Director Pietro Germi
- Cast Marcello Mastroianni, Daniela Rocca, Stefania Sandrelli, Leopoldo Trieste, Odoardo Spadaro, Margherita Girelli
- Genre Comedy
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel
Il Posto
(Il posto)
A coming-of-age film about a young man beginning his career at a large, bureaucratic company.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Italy • 1961
- Director Ermanno Olmi
- Cast Loredana Detto, Sandro Panseri, Tullio Kezich, Mara Revel, Guido Spadea, Corrado Aprile
- Genre Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Kanopy
L'Avventura
(L'avventura)
A new adventure in filmmaking...
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Italy, France • 1960
- Director Michelangelo Antonioni
- Cast Gabriele Ferzetti, Monica Vitti, Lea Massari, Dominique Blanchar, Renzo Ricci, James Addams
- Genre Drama, Mystery
- Available on Criterion Channel, Max Amazon Channel, Max, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Kanopy
La Dolce Vita
(La dolce vita)
A paprazzo's search for love and happiness through booze and sex.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Italy, France • 1960
- Director Federico Fellini
- Cast Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Anouk Aimée, Yvonne Furneaux, Magali Noël, Alain Cuny
- Genre Comedy, Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, Plex, Plex Channel
Rocco and His Brothers
(Rocco e i suoi fratelli)
DARING in its realism. STUNNING in its impact. BREATHTAKING in its scope.
- ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭
- Italy, France • 1960
- Director Luchino Visconti
- Cast Alain Delon, Renato Salvatori, Annie Girardot, Katina Paxinou, Alessandra Panaro, Spiros Focás
- Genre Crime, Drama
- Available on Criterion Channel, OVID, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, YouTube, Kanopy