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Historical Dictionary of Italian Cinema: 28
Author(s): Gino Moliterno (Author)
- Publisher: Scarecrow Press
- Publication Date: 29 Nov. 2008
- Language: English
- Print length: 520 pages
- ISBN-10: 0810860732
- ISBN-13: 9780810860735
Book Description
Italian cinema is now regarded as one of the great cinemas of the world. Historically, however, its fortunes have varied. Following a brief moment of glory in the early silent era, Italian cinema appeared to descend almost into irrelevance in the early1920s. A strong revival of the industry which gathered pace during the 1930s was abruptly truncated by the advent of World War II. The end of the war, however, initiated a renewal as films such as Roma città aperta (Rome Open City), Sciuscià (Shoeshine, 1946), and Ladri di biciclette (Bicycle Thieves, 1948), flagbearers of what soon came to be known as Neorealism, attracted unprecedented international acclaim and a reputation that only continued to grow in the following years as Italian films were feted worldwide. Ironically, they were celebrated nowhere more than in the United States, where Italian films consistently garnered the lion’s share of the Oscars, with Lina Wertmüller becoming the first woman to ever be nominated for the Best Director award. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Italian Cinema contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 400 cross-referenced entries on major movements, directors, actors, actresses, film genres, producers, industry organizations and key films. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Italian Cinema.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Scarecrow Press consistently publishes high-quality reference books in its “Historical Dictionary” series, and this volume is an excellent resource for college and public libraries. . . . The author’s expertise in Italian culture is reflected in these enjoyable, thoughtful entries. . . .While aimed at an English-speaking market, this work surveys all the important scholarship on the topic in both Italian and English. Highly recommended. ― CHOICE, May 2009
Entries are generally large and detailed, and provide fascinating information on the aspects of Italian film….This dictionary is recommended….A useful resource. ―
American Reference Books Annual, August 2008About the Author
Gino Moliterno is head of the film studies program at Australian National University.
