...Italian Neorealism is arguably one of the most influential film movements of the mid-1900s. Exemplified by Italian director, Vittorio De Sica’s critically acclaimed film Bicycle Thieves, distinct neorealist techniques can be found worldwide, notably in François Truffaut’s French New Wave film The 400 Blows. Though released 11 years apart in different parts of Europe, both of these films showcase a similar Italian Neorealist method of filmmaking. This essay will explore the influence of Italian Neorealism on French New Wave filming techniques by comparing a significant film from each movement. Post-World War II Italy was a time of political and economic crisis. The war left Italy in a distressed state characterized by huge rates of unemployment,...
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...War II brought about a plethora of changes in the International film industry. Films made before World War II were not produced for entertainment, but for morale-boosting and information concerning the war. The films were dubbed by the controlling Fascist government, disallowing any artistic content to be exploited. When watching the films produced before the war, I can feel the inauthenticity and lack of spirit. It is rather difficult to endure. After World War 2, Italian Neorealism emerged, portraying Italy’s social progress and cultural change as it was the only film industry in Western Europe to survive the economical, physical, and psychological damage of the war. It was the first postwar cinema to break the chains of the studio as it introduced narrative film techniques such as the use of nonprofessional actors, improvisation of the scripts, and on-location shooting. The film techniques allowed for Italian Neorealism to truly depict the poverty and frustration in Italy post-WWII. Bicycle Thieves was an Italian Neorealist film that influenced modern US films with its sad ending. The movie showed viewers that every sad movie does not necessarily have a happy ending, as it is with war....
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...Discuss the social and historical context of the Italian neorealist movement, using two films as examples It may be purported that the socio-historical context of any given film inevitably bleeds through into the narrative, shaping multiple elements of its structure. It could be said that the Italian Neo-Realist movement juxtaposes the decay of a shattered nation with the disturbing beauty of destruction: transforming turmoil into art, encapsulated in De Sica's observation that the destruction of Italy was "beautiful for artists, but ugly for Italians". Neo-Realism follows the ordinary lives of the citizens of Italy, the mundane and the neglected; despite being a short-lived era, it is regarded as the 'golden age' of Italian cinema and continues...
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...Film, like any other medium, serves as a means for the communication of ideas. Motion pictures can illustrate the same points as other art forms, but do so through the use of unique techniques. Mis en scene, or what appears prior to the camera’s presence and arrangement, is one such element exclusive to film that allows for the demonstration of themes and ideals. The Italian neorealist movement of the mid twentieth century exemplifies the power of mis en scene as a manner of promoting ideas within a movie. Neorealist filmmakers used myriad methods, including nonprofessional actors and shooting on location in order to accurately portray the struggles of their country after World War II. Vittorio De Sica’s The Bicycle Thieves offers a gritty portrayal of urban hardship that stands out as a shining example of the period’s meticulous use of mis en scene. The film tells the tragic story of Antonio Ricci, who sells his sheets to afford a bike that he needs for his new job, which he has been searching for tirelessly. A thief, however, steals his bicycle shortly thereafter. Ricci strives valiantly, though to no avail, to regain possession of the bicycle, and at the film’s conclusion resorts to unsuccessfully attempting to steal another man’s. The Bicycle Thieves paints a picture of an urban man’s alienation and economic struggle. De Sica makes this possible largely through his masterful use of mis en scene. He utilizes the mis en scene elements of set, prop usage, and costuming...
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...AN ! ! The Italian American Cinema ! ! The crucial and influential part of the American Cinema represents the Italian American Cinema. The Italian American Cinema can be defined as films made by Italian Americans about relationships between Italians and Americans in the United States (Moliterno 2002:433). The Italian cinema has been appreciated and adored in the United Stated from its beginnings. Especially valued were its artistic and cultural quality, as well as the ability to transmit the values of the European history into films (Brunetta 2009:9). The reciprocal influences between Italian and American cinema date back to 1912 and have a Polish accent: in that year George Kleine, a film distributor from Chicago, purchased distribution rights to the film Quo vadis? based on the novel written by Henryk Sienkiewicz. After 1912 numerous Italian films flooded America: frequently used motives were Napoleonic campaigns and Homeric battles. Popular titles of movies from that period include Cajus Julius Caesar, Gli ultimi giorni di Pompei (The Last Days of Pompei), Spartacus among many others. Historicalmythological films became inspirational for such directors as David Llewelyn Wark „D.W.” Griffith and Cecil B. DeMille. After World War I popularity in the United States of America gained stars of the early Italian cinema: Francesca Bertini, Lyda Borelli and Pina Menichelli (Brunetta 2009:10). Another crucial moment in the relationship of American and Italian film industry was...
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...Feasibility Study Milan Project Group 09 Lauran Beers Tim Denissen Joey Gillissen Carolin Quast Justine Roche Bryan Thijssen Avans School of International Studies 10th June, 2011 ------------------------------------------------- Executive Summary Oil & Vinegar is a chain of culinary gift shops that was founded in 1999 by Dutch entrepreneurs John Blogg and Femke Stevens. The concept has been praised for its unique retail formula and exclusive positioning. The brand has, since its establishment, expanded with 84 retail stores spread over twelve different countries using a master franchise business model. “Oil & Vinegar”, which is the actual and only brand of the company, offers a wide variety of products. All of them fall under one of the following categories: appetizers, herbs and spices, salads and dressings, oil and vinegar, pasta products, sweet food, biological products and gift sets. (ASIS-IBMS, General information O&V, 2011) The reason for writing this report is to research whether Oil & Vinegar is able to expand to Milan, Italy. Oil & Vinegar operates on the business-to-consumer food retail market where they are categorized as food specialists. The research will show whether the market is attractive or not. This report contains information about the four separate parts of feasibility, which are market-, product-, organizational-, and financial feasibility. From all parts together, a conclusion will be drawn...
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...recent trip to Moscow at the last minute, making the US partner look bad, but the Italian partner had made several requests for information which none of Melissa’s colleagues had fulfilled. She learned all of this information upon making phone contact with their office to confirm her travel plans. After that initial phone call, Melissa was not looking forward to the trip. She felt that her company had not upheld basic business standards, and adding a language barrier to the equation did not make things any smoother. She was very hesitant to make the trip and felt very guarded. She knew her Italian counterparts were frustrated and she could relate to their feelings. However, she also had a job to do – get more work out of them. If things did not get cleared up quickly, they could potentially loose the partnership. Melissa dreaded having to be the one to deliver that piece of news. Once in Venice and face-to-face with the partners, Melissa quickly realized their source of frustration. From their perspective, the US partner had not upheld their end of the business deal by providing some basic product information. Melissa had that information with her and easily provided the files. She was able to answer all their questions and explain the business process in the US during the first meeting. The second day of business meetings was even more productive. Melissa noted a change in her Italian counterparts’ disposition when she entered the office that second morning. They...
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...of my favorite restaurants to dine in. It offers a variety of Italian entrees to choose from and the service is excellent. Carrabba’s is usually my first pick of dining because I love Italian food. During my visit at Carrabba’s, I evaluated my experience and as of no surprise, I was well- satisfied with the warm atmosphere, large portion food, and excellent service. One of the great things about Carrabba’s is the overall atmosphere. Once I started walking toward Carrabba’s, I noticed the stone walls, which gives it a little feeling as if I was in Italy. Also, I noticed that they were plants and trees on the roof of Carrabba’s. I thought it was unique because it is something I don’t see very often. As I walked in I can hear the Italian music playing, which added on to the Italy feeling. The restaurant was loud because of all the conversations being carried throughout the restaurant. But I was still able to hear the music playing and have a conversation with my boyfriend. It also made me comfortable because when I have dinner at home, my family is always loud. Overall, I thought the restaurant was maintained clean and had a great layout. Carrabba’s offers a variety of Italian entrees, in large portions. The menu contains entrees, such as lobster ravioli or chicken parmesan. They offer a wide range of stuffed pasta, spaghettis, seafood, and pizza. Upon arrival, I was served warm bread with their signature Italian spices mixed with olive oil. I started off with an appetizer called...
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...huge influence on what people eat and the way they eat it. As a fourth generation Italian-American, my ethnic background has greatly influenced my view of food. While daily food choices still show a small persuasion of the Italian culture, it is the holiday season when the true influence is evident. While food is important aspect of any culture, I feel that this is truer of the Italian ethnicity, as it is commonly stereotyped. My great grandparents emigrated from different regions of Italy, primarily Sicily and Naples. Their families found each other in and around East Haven, Connecticut, the fourth most Italian-American community in the United States. As did scores of immigrants, they upheld many of their cultural behaviors while adopting the norms of American society. Food was an integral part of the transition. While food was a great way to connect with people of your own culture and of other cultures as well, the cost of living for many people of the time prevented them from enjoying all of the luxuries that we are now able to afford. “As immigrants from different regions of Italy settled in different regions of the United States and became ‘Italian-Americans,’ they brought with them diverse traditions of foods and recipes that were particularly identified with their regional origins in Italy and yet infused with the characteristics of their new home locale in America.” While my Italian heritage is somewhat evident in my daily food choices, special occasions are a...
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...during the ‘Black Twenty Years’. The protagonist, Marcello, spies on his former professor while working for Benito Mussolini’s political police. He accepts the assignment because he is eager to build a so-called normal life. He always keeps silent about his conformity and the deep space utilized in the scene when he walks though the huge building to meet the Minister reflects the lack of individuality in fascist era. The diegetic sound of Marcello’s steps without verbal communication illustrates that he is a copycat and always chooses to be silent so to conform and to belong. These footsteps reveal that he just follows the path of society; for example, he wants nothing more than to conform to the upper-crust expectations, join the Italian Fascist movement and marry to a middle-class woman. Actually, the people surrounding Marcello are both conformists: Manganiello states that one should just follow orders; Italo’s blindness expresses the blind faith of Fascism to a high degree. People conform to the ‘normality’ of Italy society and live in their own world as reflected by the two people who walk on two sides of the oversized building without any physical and mental connection. Especially, the marble floor creates the only loud sound of the steps in the scene and its echoing is due to the large space of the Fascist building. The use of deep space in the magnificent government hall through which Marcello wanders minimizes the size of the individual. The cold and white wall...
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...ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ARTISTS: • Nicola Pisano (also called Niccolò Pisano, Nicola de Apulia or Nicola Pisanus; c. 1220/1225 – c. 1284) was an Italian sculptor whose work is noted for its classical Roman sculptural style. Pisano is sometimes considered to be the founder of modern sculpture. • Coppo di Marcovaldo (c. 1225 – c. 1276) was an Italian painter active in Tuscany. • Vitale da Bologna (fl 1330, d 1361), also known as Vitale di Almo de' Cavalli or Vitale degli Equi, was an Italian painter, of the Early Renaissance. He is a representant of the 14th century school of painting in Bologna, where he was most active and painted the polyptych in the church of San Salvatore and frescoes in Santa Maria dei Servi. He was also active in Pomposa and Udine. • Giovanni di Agostino (c. 1310 – c. 1370) was an Italian sculptor in Siena in a gothic art style. Most of his work was sculptural commissions of the newly built Gothic Siena Cathedral. He sculpted a monument to Bishop Guido Tarlati in 1330. He also rendered a relief entitledMadonna and Child with Saints Catherine and John the Baptist between 1340 and 1348. • Guariento (fl. 1355), sometimes incorrectly named Guerriero, was the first Paduan painter of distinction. The only date distinctly known in his career is 1355, when, having already acquired high renown in his native city, he was invited by the Venetian authorities to paint a Paradise, and some incidents of the war of Spoleto, in the great council-hall...
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...to spread internationally by the turn of the nineteenth century, especially in the United States alone. Currently, pizza is one of the world’s most favorite necessities, due to its different styles, mouth-watering dishes, and countless ingredients. Primarily, pizza is known for its different styles being produced in the United States, for example New-York style, Chicago-style, and Detroit-style. Inspired by the Mediterranean influence, each style of pizza contains herbs, spices, and cooking oils. New-York style pizzas are known for their thin, buttery crusts and are usually served folded. Pizza chains, Sbarro and Dominoes advertise and dominate the northern styles, because of Italian influence. When Italian immigrants came to New York, they spread their influence of pizza to the city; therefore Italian-Americans own pizza shops all over the city. Chicago is known for there deep dish style, a popular pizza with a thick crust, garlic butter, layers of meats, and mozzarella cheeses. Second, pizza can be made into several dishes. Different countries have made similar dishes of pizza, for example manakish, pitas, and calzones. Manakish is an Arabic dish served with ground meat, sesame seeds, and cheese and is served for breakfast or lunch. In homemade pizza dough, the crust is used to make other creations including, French bread pizza, pizza bagels, or tortilla pizzas. In Canada, garlic fingers are a popular dish cut into thin pizza strips without tomato sauce and tomatoes. Instead...
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...Laurentian Bakeries Case Study Cases in Financial Management Case Synopsis Founded in 1984 Laurentian Bakeries Inc. operates in the industry of manufacturing a vast variety of frozen baked products within their three operating plants in Montreal, Winnipeg and Toronto. The operating plants produce items such as frozen pizza in Winnipeg, MB, pies in Montreal, QC and Cakes in Toronto, ON- with each representing 30%, 30% and 40% of the total revenue stream respectively. The buyers for this company include large institutional clients such domino’s pizza, etc. which have a significantly higher level of power whereas the seller of the products consists of several food producers which have a relatively low level of power. With the cost of setting up a plant of this scale being high, substitute products will also remain high in the market causing the overall profit margin to be low. With the company’s ongoing effort for continuous improvement Danielle Knowles (VP of operations) proposed to expand one of the operating plants in Winnipeg-which was based on the opportunity if the company expanded into the U.S. market. Statement The statement of the problem is how Danielle Knowles will prepare a capital project expenditure proposal to expand the company’s frozen pizza plant in Winnipeg; which is consistent and in line with the company’s capital allocation policy. The proposal should also satisfy the company’s continuous effort for improvement, identification of lost...
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...SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM Department of Spanish & Portuguese INTERMEDIATE SPANISH (SPAN 104) Name_____________________________________________________ Composition Number ______________ Points CRITERIA COMMENTS CONTENT 20-18 EXCELLENT: Knowledgeable. Substantive. Thorough development of topic. Relevant to assigned topic. 17-13 VERY GOOD: Very good knowledge of the subject. Very good range range. Good development of topic. Relevant to topic, but lacks certain detail. 12-9 GOOD TO AVERAGE: Good knowledge of subject. Adequate range. adequate development of topic. 8-5 FAIR TO POOR: Does not show knowledge of subject. Non-substantive. Not pertinent. 4-0 INADEQUATE: Not enough to evaluate. ORGANIZATION 10-9 EXCELLENT: Excellent flow of ideas. Ideas expressed clearly. Outstanding stated. Succinct. Excellent sequencing. Cohesive. 8-7 VERY GOOD: Ideas flow fluently. Main ideas stand out. Well-organized. Logical sequencing. 6-5 GOOD TO AVERAGE: Somewhat choppy. Loosely organized but main ideas stand out. Logical but incomplete sequencing. 4-2 FAIR TO POOR: Very poorly organized. Very difficult to read due to lack of organization. 1-0 INADEQUATE: No organization. Not enough to evaluate. LANGUAGE USE 35-33 EXCELLENT: Excellent range of structures and (GRAMMAR/LANGUAGE functions. Includes complex constructions. No errors of agreement, FUNCTIONS) tense, number, word order/function, articles, pronouns. Meaning clear...
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...state of the Italian economy, specifically its obvious inability to support military expansion and move into a state of total war, with the aim of creating and developing an Italian Empire, which was Mussolini’s chief aspiration. Furthermore, the weak economy maintained and strengthened the north-south divide, due to its negative effects being focused on the poorer south, while some northern industrialists benefited from the increased focus on production. Therefore, in order to counter the depression and prepare the Italian economy for conflict, Mussolini employed several policies, in order to stimulate the financial system and cut public spending, specifically increasing production and revitalising the Lira. As well as revaluating the inflated currency, these policies included boosting food production and converting to self-sufficiency, or autarky, all the while promoting nationalism and strengthening commitment to the regime. Whether these were a success is debatable, while Italy did convert to total war in 1939, the consequences were far reaching and crippling. Therefore a deep, detailed analysis, of Mussolini’s policies, their aims and effects, is necessary in order to gauge to what degree, if any, his economic policies failed. An example of Mussolini’s economic policy would be the sharp revaluation of the Lira in 1926. The value changed from 150 lira to 90 lira, against the pound, and became known as the Battle for the Lira. Its initial effects were that Italian, exported...
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