the filmlinc blog

1. 

   Sam
   November 10th, 2009 - 16:07

   “Viaggio in Italia” is probably my favorite film on the program. It’s part of a trilogy, which I am surprised that the other two films which were more influential are not being screened. “Europa ‘51″ is the first film in the trilogy which more or less inspired the entire French New Wave. Rivette has often mentioned it’s influence in his work. The real gem of the trilogy (which was marred in scandal due to the alleged affair between Rossellini & Bergman) is “Stromboli”.

   The program as a whole seems to display some of the more obscure works of some very influential directors, but let’s face it, after this many hours of Italian neo-realism pictures I hope they will be selling prozac at the concession stand.

   I’d take a free pass regardless, I tend to thrive on these kinds of awkward events.
2. 

   Joe
   November 10th, 2009 - 16:24

   Just found out about the series, but super excited about seeing Fellini’s I Vitelloni for the first time.
3. 

   Angela Bustamante
   November 10th, 2009 - 17:39

   I already have 11/21 on my calendar for Umberto &/or i Vitelloni ! Also seeing Miracle in Milan this weekend. It so hard to find such a great line up of Italian classics like this- Thank you Films @ Lincoln Center….now if I could only sneak away from work for a afternoon cinematic indulgence!
4. 

   Jessica Thron
   November 10th, 2009 - 18:47

   would like to get intouch with my Italian culture. I visited Italy two years ago on a school trip and I loved it. I want to go back so this might be the closest way to get there. I am taking Italian in college because I loved it so much. Ciao
5. 

   Dan K
   November 10th, 2009 - 19:18

   It was good to see PAISAN in a decent print. I’d forgotten that Fellini was one of the screenwriters. The episodes are uneven, but the final one, in the Po Valley, may be the most powerful short film I’ve ever seen. The Florence and Naples episodes are also very good.
6. 

   handelsaurus
   November 10th, 2009 - 20:37

   For this series, the only one I was able to catch so far was OUTCRY, which was ok, had some interesting characters and scenes. I wish I’d been able to see more of these, especially a 2nd viewing of BITTER RICE (starring Giada’s grandma Silvana), which I saw for the first time at Walter Reade 2 or 3 years ago.
   The only other one I’ve seen before/elsewhere was I VITELLONI. It may be b/w, in another language + another time, but feels incredibly relevant: a wild night partying is still fun to watch and the sensation of being subtly warned is kind of eerie (if I recall correctly I was mildly hungover when I first saw it)
7. 

   Nicholas Zvegintzov
   November 10th, 2009 - 22:25

   ‘Gente del Po’ letteralmente favoloso e favolosamente letterale!
8. 

   Rich Lombino
   November 10th, 2009 - 23:12

   Thanks so much for featuring my tweets on your blog! Finally seeing “Bicycle Thieves” on the big screen was incredible. Such a moving film. A must-see for any film lover. Hard to believe that Director Vittorio de Sica used everyday people (and not professional actors) in the film. I was transfixed and deeply moved the first time I saw the film on DVD, and the feeling returned when I sat in your theater today. Thank You!
9. 

   Jonathan M
   November 10th, 2009 - 23:32

   “Without Pity” was so intense. Every film fan should see at least one offering in this series!
10. 

    Carol Borelli
    November 11th, 2009 - 08:10

    Tante grazie for screening this event. I have already seen 11 films and am finding myself camped out on the weekends at Walter Reade. If it were not for my work, I would be there every day. What an experience to see some films again and some for the first time on the big screen. These are magnificent cinematographic masterpieces. I am so glad there has been no tempation to color tint these films!
11. 

    George Frankel
    November 11th, 2009 - 10:58

    I want very much to see ‘Accatone’ because I just saw Pasolini’s ‘Salo: the 120 Days of Sodom’ on Netflix & found it to be one of the funniest films ever!
12. 

    Alan Bayersdorfer
    November 11th, 2009 - 21:34

    According to my wife, the Neo-realism festival is grounds for divorce. I live in Philadelphia, have a series pass, and have spent way too much too away from home this month. Thank my wife for her patience, we have a pretty good chance of staying together until November 25. My goal is seeing 20 of the films. A truly remarkable series.
13. 

    Ann Kim
    November 16th, 2009 - 16:56

    I am dying to see Umberto D on the big screen! Really, so many wonderful movies to see in this festival!
14. 

    Clara Haskovec
    November 16th, 2009 - 19:13

    I finally made it to my first screening in this series today (Roma ore 11) and I can’t imagine not being able to see Vittorio De Sica’s Umberto D., or Ingmar Bergman in Viaggio in Italia and Pane, Amore e Fantasia projected in a theater. What an amazing period of film that I have managed to miss!

    Until now, my Italian movie collection is limited to Pietro Germi’s Divorzio all’italiana, Fellini’s 8 1/2, and Cinema Paradiso. Italian cinema has always had a special place in my heart; however, it seems to have only been informed by those who, as the film society so eloquently put it ‘passed through’ neorealism. Most of my knowledge of this period, in fact, has been informed by Czech directors (Closely Watched Trains and The Shop on Main Street among others).

    I was so looking forward to seeing some of these rare Italian gems on Saturday…for now, I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed.
15. 

    Amanda McCormick, www.filmlinc.com
    November 17th, 2009 - 11:51

    Thanks everyone for your comments–the entire staff here at the Film Society was talking about them and enjoying them!

    Onto the winners: we chose four commenters at random, and they are Ann Kim, handelsaurus , Jonathan M , Dan K. You’ll be hearing from us shortly via email about how to pick up your pass.

    Thanks again, and hope to see you at the series!

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