116-468 Italian Special Subject A

Completion of 37.5 points of Italian at intermediate or post-VCE level for third year. Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in Italian for fourth year. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed 37.5 points of European studies at second/third year, see Prerequisites.

Italy in close up: The subject examines social and political reality in postwar and contemporary Italy through film. It looks at topical issues such as the mafia, the representation of women, regionalism, religion, language and dialect, migration and consumerism as represented, explicitly and implicitly, in some of the best known films of Italian cinema. The subject covers films by some of the masters of Italian cinema, such as de Sica (Ladri di biciclette), Fellini (La strada), Pasolini (Accattone), Antonioni (L'eclisse), Visconti (Rocco e i suoi fratelli) and Risi (Il sorpasso), and some of the most interesting films of the 'new Italian cinema' including Giordano's I Cento Passi, Moretti's Aprile, Amelio's Ladro di bambini and Soldini's Pane e tulipani. By tracing the journey of postwar Italy's struggle for self-definition and quest for national identity, the films screened also offer an overview of the most important periods and genres in Italian film production, from neorealism to 'la commedia all'italiana', and introduce students to some of Italy's best known filmmakers. According to availability the above selection of films may change.

A 15-minute class presentation and written work totalling 3000 words for 3rd year, 4000 words for 4th year.

Materials available from the department.