ABSTRACT

From such films as La Dolce Vita and Bicycle Thieves to Cinema Paradiso and Dear Diary, Italian cinema has provided striking images of Italy as a nation and a people. In the first comprehensive study of Italian cinema from 1886-1996, Pierre Sorlin explores the changing relationship of Italian cinema and Italian society and asks whether the national cinema really does represent Italian interests and culture.

chapter 1|28 pages

First generation

The world in a dark room

chapter 1|25 pages

Second generation

Their master's voice

chapter 3|46 pages

Third generation

The most popular form of entertainment

chapter 4|29 pages

Fourth generation

The sweet life

chapter 5|21 pages

Fifth generation

The world in the box

chapter 6|8 pages

Conclusion