by Giuseppe Sciarra
In recent years we have witnessed a rebirth of Italian cinema – no matter what many people say about it who don’t go to the cinema or who are addicted to US cinema or who believe that auteur cinema is no longer our thing. The quality level of our cinema is clearly improved after the dark years of our cinematography: I am referring above all to the decade of Ninety that of cinepanettoni, where Italian cinema was limited to the usual genres and in which except for the various Tornatore, Salvatores, Taviani, Ciprì and Maresco, Capuano, Martone and a few others, our filmography has not expressed itself to its maximum potential if compared to the years gold of Cinecittà.
The next step in completing this renaissance should be for these productions to be awarded more at the box office. Unfortunately, many of these films go unnoticed or do not have the success they deserve. The same film as Gabriele Mainetti They called him Jeeg Robot although it was a good box office success it was not as it deserved. How is it possible that the public does not reward these works enough, which have nothing to envy to other films?
One of the causes is certainly the strong influence of American cinema. For many people, especially those who are not accustomed to auteur cinema, the cinema is American. Everything else is faded copies of that cinema. Certainly there are Italian productions that mimic American ones by failing the target but there are many others that are looking for an alternative way to that kind of cinema, I think about the last one Diabolik of the Manetti Bros which has been unfairly demolished by a part of our criticism or the wonderful Dogman from Matteo Garrone that it is an arthouse film but that could be watched and enjoyed by anyone.
Another problem is that part of our film criticism is too severe in the judgments of certain works by our compatriots and much less towards the works of many foreign filmmakers who, even if they make less beautiful films than ours, do not receive lapidary slurs as it happens for us. If some criticism were less harsh towards those Italian productions worthy of being appreciate this would be good for the cause of Italian cinema and would help re-educate the public.
And here we go to the sore point of the whole thing. The Italian public after years of trash TV which has greatly contributed to lowering the cultural level of the country should be educated in other types of cinema (it should also be re-educated in another type of television but that’s another story). We are living in a historical period in which our authors (and artists) are rediscovering the pleasure of really getting back on the game and reinvigorating culture by following different paths that do not necessarily have the United States as their lighthouse.
This choice must be supported more by our institutions and by all the organs and apparatuses of the world of culture in order for this renaissance of Italian cinema to reach full completion. This does not mean denying US cinema but also to support and enhance our cinema (and its ideas) so that it is possible to travel more paths without the risk of losing an audience because we do not conform to American standards.
The Supporter blog hosts posts written by readers who have decided to contribute to the growth of ilfattoquotidiano.it, subscribing to the Supporter offer and thus becoming an active part of our community. Among the posts sent, Peter Gomez and the editorial staff will select and publish the most interesting ones. This blog was born from an idea of the readers, keep making it your space. Becoming a supporter also means putting your face, signature or commitment: join our campaigns, think so that you have an active role! If you want to participate, at the price of “a cappuccino a week” you can also follow the editorial meeting on Thursday in live streaming – sending us suggestions, news and ideas in real time – and access the reserved Forum where you can discuss and interact with the editorial staff. Discover all the advantages!
Support ilfattoquotidiano.it: your contribution is essential
Your support helps us ensure our independence and allows us to continue producing quality online journalism that is open to all, without paywalls. Your contribution is essential for our future.
Become a supporter too
Thank you,
Peter Gomez
Support now
Previous article
Gaspard Ulliel dead, the 37-year-old actor was in an accident on the ski slopes. He had acted for Dolan
