movie world

The 1953 anthology movie Love in the City (L'amore in citta') was intended as the first issue in an ongoing cinematic magazine, like a twice-yearly edition of "60 Minutes" shown in movie theaters, each time exploring a different topic from several different angles.

In this case, the subject is as the title suggests: love in its many forms and how it manifests in Rome. Though, it's love in the broadest sense, with a more precise focus being what it's like to be an Italian woman trying to get by in the modern world. Romance is not in great evidence.

The cumulative result is an intriguing time capsule of a particular time and place. A failure in its own time, Love in the City has aged into a fascinating document, highlighting Italy's tremendous talent pool while also offering a backward glimpse into history.

Directors: Michelangelo Antonioni, Federico Fellini, Alberto Lattuada, Carlo Lizzani, Francesco Maselli, Dino Risi, Cesare Zavattini
Country: Italy
Genre: Drama, Romance

Amore Che si Paga a.k.a Love for Money (11 min) directed by Carlo Lizani with a screenplay by Cesare Zavattini. A mosaic of scattered images where the night workers are followed by a man with provocative questions-the short feels as an interview where the women explain their unfortunate profession.

Tentato Suicidio a.k.a Attempted Suicide (22 min) directed by Michelangelo Antonioni with a screenplay by Cesare Zavattini. A heartbroken woman contemplates suicide after her life has unexpectedly crumbled. Desperation quickly takes over and the unthinkable becomes a possibility.

Paradiso per tre ore a.k.a Paradise for Three Hours (12 min) directed by Dino Risi with a screenplay by Cesare Zavattini. A loud dance party brings comfort to a man and a woman too shy to join the celebration. They observe the games men and women play and eventually leave the hall.

Agenzia matrimoniale a.k.a Marriage Agency (16 min) directed by Federico Fellini with a screenplay by Federico Fellini. A young journalist preparing an article on arranged marriages pretends to be a customer looking for a bride for his rich client. He sees a poor Italian girl willing to become a housewife even though she is told that the client and future husband is a werewolf.

Storia di Caterina a.k.a Story of Caterina (27 min) directed by Francesco Maselli with a screenplay by Cesare Zavattini. A poor woman from Sicily moves to Rome looking for a better life. Her plans quickly take a dive as she could not secure a job. The woman is forced to abandon her son in the local park as she could no longer take care of him.

Gli Italiani si Voltano a.k.a Italians Turn Their Heads (14 min) directed by Cesare Zavattini with a screenplay by Cesare Zavattini. A collage of candid camera excerpts focusing on men observing and responding to the presence of beautiful women.

BD25 | 1080p VC-1 | 01:54:51 | 21.8 Gb + 3% rec
Language: Italiano
Subtitles: English

Extras:
-- Audio Commentary (in Italian with optional English subtitles) by Carlo Lizzani (on "L'amore che si paga"), Francesco Maselli (on "Storia di Caterina"), Giudo Chiesa (on "Tentato suicido"), Silvano Agosti (on "Un'agenzia matrimoniale"), Mario Brenta (on "Gli Italiani si voltano"), and Mimmo Calopresti (on "Paradiso per 3 ore")
-- Introduction to the Commentaries by Gabrielle Lucantonio (with English subtitles)
-- Interviews (with English subtitles): - Paolo Mereghetti (13:13), - Luca Bandirale (23:39), - Angelo Pasquini (15:04)
-- Theatrical Trailer (3:10)

DVD9 | PAL 4:3 | 01:49:39 | 7.43 Gb + 3% rec
Language: Italiano
Subtitles: English

Extras:
-- Audio commentary (without English subtitles) by Carlo Lizzani (on "L'amore che si paga"), Francesco Maselli (on "Storia di Caterina"), Giudo Chiesa (on "Tentato suicido"), Silvano Agosti (on "Un'agenzia matrimoniale"), Mario Brenta (on "Gli Italiani si voltano"), and Mimmo Calopresti (on "Paradiso per 3 ore")
-- Introduction to the Commentaries by Gabrielle Lucantonio
-- Interviews (in Italian with optional English subtitles): - Paolo Mereghetti (13:13), - Luca Bandirali (23:39), - Angelo Pasquini (15:04)
-- Theatrical Trailer (3:01)
-- Difference between screenplay and final edition (5:29)
-- DVD Rom: Original screenplay of Maselli episode