In Italia si chiama amore (1964) User Reviews

Nino Manfredi and Italy 1963

[ramito-1 · 7/10 · 14 March 2015]

First big plus of this film is that is it narrated with both charm and irony by Nino Manfredi. The film is comprised of many brief scenes, presumably reenactments of actual events, as the news clippings are often shown. Perhaps they are the people themselves in some cases, as the film claims to be a documentary -- and these clearly are not professional actors. The episodes show not only the 'relations between the sexes' and presumed social mores, but also an interesting filmic portrait of Italy during this transition of the BOOM years, with 'old ways' still in evidence, plus a new 'modernity' Worthwhile film, even for the vintage cars and look of the era. I found it on you tube. My review needs more lines, so I can say Buon divertimento!

The predecessor of Masculin Feminin

[ersbel · 14 March 2015]

This movie can be the inspiration for the interview style of the more acclaimed Masculin Feminin of Jean-Luc Godard. And also the theme: the relation between sexes. Yet the two films are distinct works. Godard opts for an artsy take with fuzzy relations, while In Italia si chiama amore takes precise cases. Godard opts for a main love story that flows from act to act, while Italo Dragosei opts for separated stories, like the sides of a polished stone.

It is interesting to note, while France was privileged in the relationship with the US, Godard takes an anti-US stance, masked as an anti-Coca Cola stance, in pace with the spirit of '68. In Italia is made at a time when the US influence was very still very strong, yet there is no mention of anybody else than Italians.

In the end, Godard movie has a more polished look. But In Italia... speaks of far more issues.

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