In this podcast we explore what is generally agreed to be Paolo Sorrentino's masterwork, La Grande Bellezza (The Great Beauty, 2013). Russ talks about why he decided to write a book about his movies and why he thinks this, and Il Divo, are his stand out works. After outlining the plot, we talk about the cinematography, most striking scenes the religious and seculalr themes in the movie. We discuss Jep, the main character's, at times disparaging treatment of women, and the fact that Sorrentino is not averse to objectifying. The movie is in part a walk around Rome and her beautiful but also a dissection of the lives of her cultured elite, told with brio and to a great soundtrack.

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/

The film: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2358891/

The music playist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5nCk4uJxmYwAzCwQPdZM21?si=4ba160c081414dc9

Russ's book on Sorrentino: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-cinema-of-paolo-sorrentino/9780231189934/

Theme music: Tarantella composed by Stephen Brown.

Portrait print by KB.

A Brainland Collective production.

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