American Actors in a Declining Italian Cinema

With a maddening sensuality, the unforgettable actress of the film "A Special Day" embodies the golden age of Italian cinema. From the suburbs of Naples to Hollywood, this biographical documentary looks back at the flamboyant career and destiny of Sophia Loren.

A tribute to Italian filmmaker Sergio Corbucci (1926-90), presented by American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.

Before they met, they had not found success in the film industry. Michelangelo Antonioni did not direct Italian comedies. Monica Vitti did not have the looks of a Sophia Loren or a Gina Lollobrigida. United in life and on screen, they would become the creators of L'Avventura, La Notte, and L'Eclisse. Three legendary films, three declarations of love.

A portrait of the mythical Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni (1924-96), a unique performer who was one of the kings of European cinema.

World-renowned director Martin Scorsese narrates this journey through his favorites in Italian cinema.

Quadri espansi

Les sept capitaines

The film was shot on the occasion of the Italian Geographical Expedition to Karakorum, conceived in 1926 and held in May-August 1929, under the guidance of Aimone di Savoia, duke of Spoleto. The expedition, twenty years after that of the uncle of Aimone, the Duke of Abruzzi, had as its declared objective the exploration of the Baltoro glacier area and explores the possibility of an attempt at K2. The film ends, however, hastily: the prohibitive weather conditions conditioned the production. A young geologist and geographer, Ardito Desio (head of the italian expedition to K2 in 1954), took part in the expedition.

Excursion from the Catinaccio group, across the Alpe di Siusi, to the Sassolungo and to the Sella group. The Dolomites, less impressive in appearance and less elevated than the giants of the Alps, attract a particularly bold class of climbers: here we follow the footsteps of a group of them on a characteristic route of the region. In the group, there are some women. The film was produced in thirties by the Instituto Nazionale Luce during the Italian Fascist regime.

In September 1932, a party of climbers composed of Bruno Detassis, Gino Corrà and Nello Bianchini completed the first ascent of the Paganella direct route. After having reached the summit, the group is received with honors by the people who celebrate the feat. The movie also shows brief images of the inauguration of the 'Cesare Battisiti' refuge. The film, of great historical importance, was shot in 8mm by Aldo Pedrotti.

An alpine ascent around the snow-covered area of Monte Cevedale by a large group of mountaineers equipped with crampons and ice axes. The group departs from the old refuge 'Capanna Casati' and begin the climb through the glaciers. Finally, they camp on a rocky expanse. The film was produced in 1932 by the Instituto Nazionale Luce during the Italian Fascist regime.

An alpine ascent Monte Rosa glacier by a large group of mountaineers equipped with crampons and ice axes. The group ascends from the Gabiet lake to the Corno del Camoscio (3.024 meters) and up the Capanna Gnifetti hut at 3.647 meters. From there they continue the progression by the glacier up to the Capanna Regina Margherita hut at 4.559, the highest observatory in Europa at the time, from where they start the way back to the village of Gressoney. The film was produced in 1932 by the Instituto Nazionale Luce during the Italian Fascist regime.

A documentary illustrating the mountain sports activities of the university students of the GUF (Gruppi universitari fascisti) in Val Gardena, Madonna di Campiglio and Roccaraso. The film starts with a rock climbing winter ascent to Sasso Lungo (Langkofel). A party of four men make an approach on skis and climb roped from the base of the mountain to the summit. Then the film shows images of different competitions: ski (cross country, slalom, ski jumping), skating (figure, speed) and biathlon. A propaganda film of the Italian fascist regime.

The ascent of the spectacular needle Guglia Rudatis (2.202 meters), in the Italian Dolomites by a group of rock climbers. A group of six men leave a wood hut and approach up to the foot of the needle. We see them climbing and progressing on the steep rock face and finally making an overhanging rappel to descend. The film was produced in 1937 by the Instituto Nazionale Luce during the Italian Fascist regime.

An exceptional cinematographic document on Emilio Comici, shot in 1938 in Val Rosandra by a MGM operator. The documentary shows Comici with the mountain guide Gianni Macor, in all the stages of the rock climbing technique, in the way of an instructional film. Comici, nicknamed the 'Angel of the Dolomites', is considered as the most extraordinary climber of the period between the two World Wars. He made over 200 first ascents in the Dolomites during his short career. Comici perfected the Bavarian technique of mountain climbing, and began the era of 'sixth grade' climbing. It was Comici who originated the concept of climbing direttissima routes, following the path a drop of water would take down the mountain.

Presented as a kind of docu-fiction, the film shows training maneuvers by the young mountaineers of the Scuola Centrale Militare di Alpinismo (Military School of Mountaineering). Differents groups of rock climbers ascend the Winkler Tower and Torre del Vajolet. While ascending one of the towers, one of the climbers is attacked by an eagle that makes him fall and leaves him hanging on the rope. The film, produced in 1942 by the Instituto Nazionale Luce at the end of the Italian Fascist regime, was awarded in the Mostra Internazionale del Cinema di Venezia.

Documentary on alpine refuges and the life of mountaineers. The film begins with images recreating vintage mountain climbers that end up spending a night in a fortune shelter. Then the scene is linked with images of a current refuge and explains how refuges are today, showing models and images of real refuges and explaining how life is in them and the role they play in mountaineering. The film was produced in 1942 by the Instituto Nazionale Luce during the Italian Fascist regime.

The history of the peplum genre, known as sword-and-sandal cinema, set in Antiquity, from the silent film era to the present day.

Two climbers progress on an alpine glacier and reach the top of a mountain by climbing a long and steep slope of snow and ice. They also have to climb a completely vertical wall of ice using crampons with frontal tips, ice nails, and rope stirrups. The film was produced in 1942 by the Instituto Nazionale Luce at the end of the Italian Fascist regime.

A retrospective look at the making of Michele Soavi's "The Church" including interviews with cast and crew.