Fans of the Italian poliziotteschi cinematic movement of the 1960s and 1970s should not miss a compelling documentary currently available on Amazon Prime, which chronicles this influential subgenre of Italian cinema that has achieved cult status worldwide. “Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the ’70s” offers an in-depth look at films that may initially appear to be Italian versions of French noir or American crime classics like “Dirty Harry” and “The Godfather,” but in reality, provide a lens into the social issues that plagued Italy during the decade — such as the rise of the Cosa Nostra …

Gianfranco Rosi’s acclaimed documentary “Sotto le nuvole” (Below the Clouds) is set to open at Film at Lincoln Center on March 6. The film, which won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and was featured in the New York Film Festival’s Main Slate, explores life in an area of Naples situated between Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields (Campe Flegree), an active volcanic caldera. Rosi, known for his immersive portraits of communities in crisis, turns his lens on archaeologists uncovering ancient artifacts and dealing with the aftermath of tomb raiders, emergency responders strained by constant threats, and …

The Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA) and Cinecittà marked the 100th anniversary of Carlo Rambaldi’s birth in December with a special retrospective celebrating his distinguished career. Rambaldi, an Italian special-effects artist who won three Oscars, is known for his work on “King Kong” (1976), “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977), “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” (1982), and “Dune” (1984) as well as many Italian films, including those he made with frequent collaborator Dario Argento. The event was part of a worldwide celebration supported by Italy’s Ministry of Culture. The retrospective showcased 15 films from Rambaldi’s career, including six …

People across the globe were shocked and saddened to hear about the death of actress Diane Keaton on Oct. 11. Keaton had a way of connecting with audiences of every walk of life and Italians were among her biggest fans. Keaton captivated Italian audiences with her lively personality and immense talent, but she became even more popular when she played Sister Mary in Paolo Sorrentino’s 2016 HBO series, “The Young Pope.” In the show, Sister Mary is a hip American nun who raised the orphaned Lenny Belardo, aka Pope Pius XIII, played by Jude Law. Sorrentino spoke to Keaton’s dramatic …

Upon hearing the news of Claudia Cardinale’s passing on Sept. 23, film fans throughout the world expressed their sorrow at the loss of an elegant, down-to-earth icon who always greeted fans with a warm smile and embraced her stunning beauty with humor and sophistication rather than conceit. Cardinale was born in Tunisia in 1938 to Sicilian parents. Her maternal grandparents were originally from the Sicilian island of Trapani but settled in La Goulette, Tunisia, where a large Italian community was established. Her early life seems something of a fairytale, but success brought its share of problems. As a young girl, …

Just as the Venice International Film Festival wrapped up in September with the Best Actor prize awarded to Toni Servillo for his role in Paolo Sorrentino’s “La grazia,” the Toronto International Film Festival began with 10 Italian films making their North American premiere. Among them was Pietro Marcello’s much anticipated “Duse,” which was featured in the festivals Centerpiece program. The film follows the last years of Italian stage actress Eleonora Duse who was active in the later part of the 1800’s until 1909 when she retired from acting. “The choice to focus on the last years of her life came …

Gianfranco Rosi premiered his much-anticipated documentary at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in September. “Sotto le nuvole” (“Below the Clouds”) takes a deep dive into the rich history and culture of Naples and the area surrounding Mount Vesuvius. The film focuses on the inhabitants of the region over the millennia and their coexistence with the land and the volcano. The synopsis reads, “The land around Vesuvius is a vast palimpsest. On the surface, underground and even beneath the sea of the modern city of Naples and its surroundings, the memory of history is etched into tunnels, walls and fissures, …

A new Netflix series adaptation of “The Leopard,” based on Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s seminal novel, is captivating audiences worldwide. Directed by British filmmaker Tom Shankland, the series revisits the iconic tale first brought to the screen by Luchino Visconti in 1963. Set against the backdrop of 1860s Sicily during the Risorgimento, the film follows Prince Fabrizio Salina (Kim Rossi Stuart), an aging aristocrat witnessing the decline of the Sicilian nobility and the rise of a new social order. As Garibaldi’s forces land in Sicily, the prince reflects on the now-fleeting aristocratic way of life. His nephew Tancredi (Saul Nanni) …

An early example of commedia all’italiana, “Bravissimo” is a true classic of the genre. Directed by Luigi Filippo D’Amico and starring Alberto Sordi, the 1955 film blends satire with heartfelt moments, offering a critique of the entertainment industry and the exploitation of child prodigies. The story follows Ubaldo Impallato (Sordi), a substitute elementary-school teacher who supplements his income by running a tutoring program. Among the kids in his care is Gigetto, a 6-year-old with a rare musical talent. Ubaldo takes Gigetto under his wing, attempting to keep the boy safe from his greedy relatives while using him to chase his …

The 82nd Venice International Film Festival is upon us and as usual, offers a diverse lineup, embracing many genres of film with dozens of Italian works spanning across the festival’s programs and five in the main competition. Paolo Sorrentino’s “La grazia” starring Toni Servillo and Anna Ferzetti opens the festival on August 27. “I am very happy that the 82nd Venice International Film Festival will open with the new and highly anticipated film by Paolo Sorrentino,” stated the festival’s artistic director, Alberto Barbera, on the festival’s website. Sorrentino has a long history with the festival having made his debut there …