Nicetti's film is both an affectionate homage of 1940s neorealism and a critique of the effects of consumerism, and particularly Berlusconi's media, in 1980s Italy. Russ discusses the social historical background to the making of this film before we talk about Nichetti's background in circus, children's TV and adverts in addition to film directing. The film within the film is repeatedly interupted by TV adverts and cuts to a family watching at home until characters from one medium/story spill into the others.

Comic moments are highlighted - definite spoiler alert for this one - before talking about influences from silent slapstick cinema in particular.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

#brainlandcollective #capolavoropodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is aboutLina Wertmuller's 1973 film Love and Anarchy (D'Amore e D'Anarchia), the first female director they've discussed. Wertmuller's route to direction is outlined, including her early career with an avant garde puppets theatre, then work with Fellini, before we unpick some of the detail in this exhuberant film. Set in and around a legal brothel in prewar fascist italy, the film tells the story of an anarchist from the sticks who comes to the city to assassinate Mussolini. Excellent performances and some unusual story telling make for a highly watchable and thought provoking film.

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist (UK) http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

#brainlandcollective #capolavoropodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Russ and Ken talk about Bertolucci's 1970 film The Conformist (Il Conformista), based on Alberto Moravia's 1947 novel of the same name. Set in fascist Italy, mainly before WW2, it tells the story of Marcello whose desire to conform makes him embrace and become a willing puppet of the regime and a plot to kill a prominent antifascist living in Paris, but that only scratches the surface of this tale. The 29 year old cinematographer later went on to win 3 Oscars, including one for Apocalypse Now. Lots more interesting stuff. Take a listen...

Participants:

Russ Kilbourn, Professor of Literature and Film, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario (Canada) http://rjakilbourn.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer, podcaster and former neuropsychiatrist.http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

The film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065571/

The Novel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conformist

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

#brainlandcollective #capolavoropodcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.