Italian Movie Club – Our First Film is Pane e Tulipani

I’d like to try a film club – I’ll choose a film (suggestions would be welcome) and you’ll have a month to watch it. I’ll include some questions for discussion and we’ll talk about it.

I’m starting with Silvio Soldini’s Pane e Tulipani (Bread and Tulips) because it’s my favorite. You have a month – we’ll discuss it Monday August 8.

Here are some things to think about: (I’ll add more if I think of them)

1. Do you think that it is Soldini’s intention to make the women seem stronger than the men in this movie? What do you think he’s saying about modern (Italian) relationships?

2. Rosalba leaves her suburban life for one that is more like the way Italians used to live, in Venice, an old city with narrow winding streets and canals and a world that doesn’t seem modern at all. Is Soldini saying something about old ways being better? Is the film an indictment of modern life? What is it about her life in Venice that makes her feel that her life is more authentic?

3. Does the relationship between Rosalba and Fernando seem realistic? Do you get why she likes him?

4. Are the characters realistic or are they overly exaggerated and clichés?

5. What do you make of the attempts at suicide?

6. Why is Mimmo so desperate to get Rosalba to come back home?

7. Does Rosalba realize that she needs a change before she gets left at the autogrille?

Did you like it, hate it, or just think that it’s not important enough to discuss – let me know!