That’s Amore! Fall in Love with Italian Cinema

If you’re in the mood for passion, romance, and a whole lot of good food, journey to Italy via the medium of film. Here is a list of the top 5 films to help you fall in love with everything Italian.

1. Bicycle Thieves (1948)

This is a simple story of a father and son looking for a bicycle. This film will have you on the ground crying as you watch a father desperately trying to hold up his family.

2. Gomorrah (2008)

A modern film that proves undoubtedly that you don’t need to rely on the classics to be enamored by Italian filmmaking. This is a harrowing portrayal of crime and violence without glamourising or romanticising.

3. Umberto D (1952)

His story is not for the faint-hearted. Not because it contains gratuitous violence, but because it is about a man and his dog. It is an emotional story of Umberto trying to find a way to survive and look after his furry best friend. Oof!

4. La Dolce Vita (1960)

This film has to be included. Join the gossip columnist Marcello Rubini as he tries to find happiness on the streets of Rome. It’s a perfect tour of the city.

5. 8 ½ (1963)

You didn’t think I’d leave this off the list, did you? Arguably the best film ever to be created by the Italian film industry. The somewhat biographical film tells the tale of a director struggling to make a science fiction film. It is good. Oh, is it good!