The post war period in Italy represents a time of cultural, economic and political instability, as the nation tried to re-create the social bonds broken by the war and attempted to understand, and take advantage of, the effects of mass industrialisation and urbanisation thanks to the ‘economic miracle’. It was during this time from 1945 to 1960, with the people increasingly disenchanted with the ability of the camera to truly portray the turmoil of recent history, that a new form of popular, neorealist cinema emerged to reflect social reality and “expand the viewer’s moral, cultural and geographic perspectives”. This instability and new cinematographic outlook was the backdrop for two pertinent Italian films: Rossellini’s Roma Città Aperta, an authentic depiction of the daily lives of Italians in Nazi occupied Rome, and Visconti’s Rocco e i Suoi Fratelli, the journey of one Southern Italian family as they migrate to the North during the economic boom in search of prosperity. For both of these films, the ideas of resistance and struggle are two closely linked themes which play an integral part in the portrayal of this period of Italian history. In order to gain a more insightful understanding of how each of these are conveyed in Roma Città Aperta and Rocco e i Suoi Fratelli, it is beneficial to analyse these films with reference to two sub-themes: resistance to oppression and economic struggle. This approach will make evident the comparisons between the two
In the novel, The Madonna of 115th Street: Faith and Community in Italian Harlem , the author, Robert A. Orsi highlights the daily lives of the men and women who reside within the Italian Harlem. In particular, Orsi examines how the annual festa of the Madonna of 115th Street influenced and reflected the lives of the celebrants. This novel provides a new understanding of the religion practiced within the Italian Harlem and further examines the aspects of Harlem involving its experience with immigration and community formation. This novel raises numerous question, such as, what topics of the course does it illumine? Orsi’s novel and the film, The Godfather, Part Two , share numerous similarities that shed light on each other. These similarities highlight and demonstrate the lifestyle within the Italian Harlem.
Alessandra Strozzi wrote many letters to her children which can convey to us the importance of family in Florence during the Renaissance. Alessandra’s husband Matteo died, and so these letters are written from the perspective of a widow, not a married woman. In Women of the Renaissance by Margaret L. King, it states that widows of the Renaissance could dispose of the family wealth themselves and were also able to carry on their husband’s trade. In this case, Alessandra took on the responsibility of finding spouses for her children. The following letter is written from Alessandra to her son Filippo concerning finding him a wife and shows how much thought was put
Life in Italy in the 1930’s caused difficulty to some Italians during that time period. During the 1930’s a large number of Italians who had opposed the fascist rule of Benito Mussolini arrived in the United States. After the news spread in Italy about the bombing of Pearl Harbour almost all Italians supported the war against Benito Mussolini. At this point, Italy was slowly becoming under the Nazi rule, the significance of a woman’s role in Italy was emphasised as they were expected to accept the fascist ideology. Girls were expected to get married and conceive lots of children. Many young women in Italy felt the pressures of politics that were dominated by men and felt that women’s rights were disappearing
What was the Renaissance and why did it happen? Italian life in the 14th and 15th centuries was lived among the vast ruins of the ancient Roman Empire. The cruelty and barbarism of Rome
Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s Peaceful Country from Effects of Good Government in the City and in the Country is one of the first secular Proto-Renaissance paintings to depict a political subject since classical antiquity. As Ambrogio Lorenzetti was considered to be amongst the most inventive Florentine artists of his time, it is extremely fitting that he would paint such a subject. Lorenzetti’s elevated intellectual level is thought to have influenced him to paint historical and allegorical subjects, which were considered to be somewhat profane themes, as well as to convey more bold and profound ideas in his work. Lorenzetti was greatly influenced by both Giotto and Duccio. This influence can be observed in Lorenzetti’s use of perspective to convey depth. As this painting was produced between 1338-1339 CE, it belongs to the Proto-Renaissance, and during this time, Lorenzetti’s attempt to use single point perspective would have been considered to be rather modern.
The Renaissance period is known for the revival of the classical art and intellect born in ancient Greece and Rome. The Renaissance is also a time that is marked by growth, exploration, and rebirth. The Italian Renaissance started in Florence and progressively made its way into Venice and then into the great city of Rome. During the Renaissance, Rome was home to some of the most renowned works of art and the finest architectural masterpieces in the world - too many that still holds true today. Along with the delicate architecture and grand artistry, Rome was also home to a mixture of people and cultures. It is in this cultural context and through the book A Street Life in Renaissance Rome: A Brief History with Documents, that understanding how men, woman, and specifically Jews and Christians lived in Rome becomes important to better understand this period of renewal.
Florence- Florence is one of Atonio’s friends. Although he does not believe in God, he attends catechism lessons with his friends. Florence’s mother died when he was three. Afterwards, his father slowly killed himself with alcohol. His sisters are now prostitutes at Rosie’s house. He asks Antonio insightful questions that point out the gaps in the Catholic Religion. When Antonio becomes
At first glance, Giovanni Paolo Pannini’s Picture Gallery with Views of Modern Rome (1757) reveals very little past the outsider-looking-in perspective we are given from Pannini’s perspective. In the center is the Duc de Choiseul surrounded by detailed views of Roman architecture including buildings, fountains, and monuments and several infamous sculptures from the 17th and 18th centuries. While looking at the painting, it is hard to pinpoint one focal point within the composition when the walls of the gallery are filled with paintings from the floor to the ceiling. The focus becomes about the space Pannini has created and it does not focus on one specific object or figure. Each view of Rome seen in the imagined gallery adds to the illusion of Rome as an ideal city and to the idea of its beauty. By showing a space that reflects this beauty through the numerous paintings, sculptures, and architecture Pannini’s painting transforms into an allegory. Even though this painting was commissioned to commemorate Rome, he is able to portray the city and its architecture through a well respected and scholarly environment uncharacteristic of any known space or time. These characteristics cause the which allows it by creating a fictitious These allegorical characteristics do not become known unless you take a closer look at Picture Gallery with Views of Modern Rome (1757).
The film however, operates in two distinct modes: the narrative of a profoundly human struggle for survival that remains common to all, and the unromantic depiction of Italian class struggle in the postwar era. In the latter mode, the film illustrates a series of behaviors, and social structure that remain indifferent to Antonio and his desperate situation. It identifies Antonio and his family by their situational relationship, with the various groups present in Rome during the postwar period. E.g., Antonio’s family is displaced from his local group of communists, churchgoers, and market folks
Many of us today have things in our culture that we appreciate without thinking about where they have come from. The things we enjoy so much could be from another culture, and even another place in time. This document will explore the influence of Italian Renaissance art on today's civilization, which has greatly changed the art of today.
World War I began in August of 1914, after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand at Sarajevo, in what is now Yugoslavia. Following this period Italy was in a state of civil war, with the parliament incapable of providing effective leadership. There was a rise in social tension, as well as economic problems. This resulted in a new, more aggressive breed of Italian politicians. They followed a violent anarchic political credo, also known as fascism. Although Italy’s economy was weak, following World War I, it was effected more by political factors, such as the rise of fascism, and social factors as seen through the newspaper, Il Popolo d’Italia.
The Fascists’ social and economic policies up to 1939 significantly aided their control over Italy yet may not be cited as the sole cause. The Fascist party’s social and economic policies along with other factors attributed to the overall control of Italy. Through such policies it was a certainty that the Fascist party would hold complete power over the population of Italy in each aspect of an individual’s life whether it was their leisure time through the Dopolavoro or at work under the corporate state system which was formally introduced in 1934. This complete domination of the Italian peoples’ lives could be argued to have been the instrumental factor behind the Fascists’ control over Italy up to 1939. Other factors which assisted the
By analyzing the historical contexts of these specific movements, we take a deeper look at society's social, religious, economic, and political conditions that existed during a certain time and place. These relevant factors profuse mass influence into a filmmakers decisions while in the production process of a film. Additionally, these components have the role of establishing distinct trends in the film industry. Each movement has its own purpose for creating each film in regards to a stylistic standpoint.
This paper will draw analysis of the film in the view of its genre, plot, themes and contexts from the movie itself and various scholarly articles. The film will be analysed drawing lessons and historical contexts of the Roman Empire and the 1st Century. Lastly, this paper will offer an
Italy holds a long and rich history, starting from how it became one country during ancient times. For thousands of years, people have lived in Italy, relying on its vast amount of assets and resources. There was no established group of settlers to arrive first, because the chief pioneers entailed many different types of people who spoke different languages. Italy was at first preceded by several non-Italian cultures, including Greeks. The Greeks occupied southern Italy, including areas around Sicily. This remained a wealthy extent of land because of the tremendously fertile soil, which then caused the sprout of new cities and civilization. These Greek cities ultimately stood taken over by Roman control. As far as northern city-states, the Etruscans lived in areas influenced by Greek culture. The Etruscans stayed well-known engineers, builders, and traders. Italy was always back and forth in the control of foreign authorities, but finally landed in the power of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire took over at about 450 B.C., but eventually collapsed. The land that now stands as Italy was ruled by Julius Caesar. There were many civil wars before and after Julius Caesar’s death. The land was then restored by Octavian, Caesar’s son, who later passed his throne to his son Tiberius. Although ancient Italy had been taken over by diverse commands, it still held on to its vast culture and