Learning Italian with Cinema- I

The past several years since 2015 have been an exceptional experience for me in terms of imbibing the Italian language and culture. I can actually vouch that learning Italian with cinema and TV shows has helped me immensely in my language learning journey! This movie list is not about popular movies or even the classics such as La Grande Belezza, Il Postino, La Vita è Bella, Pane e Tulipani, Cinema Paradiso, Mediterraneo etc. but rather contemporary movies and drama! So here are 5 Italian movies that are also available on Amazon Prime (US) that everyone should watch to improve Italian and gain an insight into the culture!

Learning Italian with Cinema

1. Perfetti Sconosciuti (2016):

This is a fabulous story of 7 friends and how their lives fall apart after they agree to play a “light hearted” game. The film is a perfect take on modern technology, it’s uses and how it has hampers our personal lives. Directed by the very talented Paolo Genovese, Perfetti Sconosciuti (Perfect Strangers) revolves around a very close knit group of friends who decide to take a risk by playing a game at their dinner table. The experience turns out to be revealing and sad, showing themes of deception, dishonesty and distrust in marriages. What I love about this movie is the way the symbolism is omnipresent throughout right from the start. (No Spoilers!) You can buy the DVD from Amazon.

2. Mine Vaganti (2010):

Mine Vaganti is another great movie to watch if you’re learning Italian. Shot in the stunning town of Lecce, this film a rich family from Puglia dealing with the issues homosexuality and family drama. Mine Vaganti shows the many sides of being in the Italian culture including a family obsessed with pasta!! Even though the film is shown in the category of a Comedy on Wikipedia, I think it is a very serious drama of two sexually frustrated brothers and their overbearing father. Mine Vaganti can be watched on Prime if you are in the USA.

3. Loro Chi? (2015):

Did you like Catch Me If You Can?? Oceans Eleven?? Well I bet you will love this movie too. Loro Chi was one of my first movies that I watched at the Italian Cultural centre while studying B1. It is a fun plot with excellent star cast such Marco Giallini, Ivano Marescotti and Edoardo Leo. The script and comic timings are so perfect that it is impossible NOT to have fun watching this movie. Highly recommend! You can buy the DVD here.

Have you seen these TV shows set in Italy?

4. Mia Madre (2015):

My Italian teacher recommended me to watch movies by Nanni Moretti and I couldn’t be more grateful. Mia Madre is a heartwarming and intense story of a mother daughter relationship. The plot revolves around present and past memories of the protagonist’s mother and how she understands more of her mother’s life. Honestly, the film is heavy and I found myself in tears several times. It leaves you thinking, in a pensive mood, maybe you might too get teary eyed! You can watch Mia Madre on Prime if you’re in the USA.

5. Io Sono l’amore (2010):

Another fantastic film to watch if you’re learning Italian is Io sono l’amore. This is a comparatively slow film set in the chic urban space of Milan. The story revolves around a doting mother of a wealthy Italian family who finds herself in love with someone really unexpected. Io sono l’amore has tons of passion and drama and will leave you stupified. The story of a rich industrial family might even leave you dizzy towards the end. If you’re in the USA you can watch it on Prime.

Did you like the list?? I’d love recommendations from you!!

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Further Reading:

• Amalfi Must Do: Pasticceria Sal De Riso
• How to visit the Amalfi Coast from Salerno
• Arrivederci Montalbano- thoughts on Riccardino
• Basilica di Superga with the moon- una meraviglia
• The view from Vomero Hill, Naples