Back in time with Italian cinema

“Io no ho paura (I’m Not Scared)” by Gabriele Salvatores. Provided by the organizers

This month, take the chance to revisit an era in Italian film.

The Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul will screen handpicked classics from 1970s Italy every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until Feb. 13, right in the heart of downtown Seoul at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center.

Through the festival, discover the country where so many cinematic trends were set and why Italian films have been much revered and cherished for so long.

Expect to be seduced by the scenery, the language and the beautiful performances.

“Korean audiences will really appreciate the ingenuity of these films’ style and cinematography,” the institute said.

Romance, Fascism, crime and childhood are perennial issues in Italian cinema, but this string of films portray them quite differently from the iconic 1950s and 1960s dramas.

For example, on Feb. 6 at 5:45 p.m., there will be a special lecture from highly acclaimed film critic and author Maurizio Fantoni Minella, on “Cinema and Politics in Italy, from Neorealism until today.”

His talk is expected to enhance an understanding of how politics and cinema can be entwined.

The films will be screened in Italian with English subtitles and introductions in both Korean and English.

Screenings will take place on the first floor of the Joong-Ang Ilbo building in Sunhwa-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul at (02) 796-0634 or visit www.iicseoul.esteri.it. Also call the Korea Foundation Cultural Center at (02) 3789-5600 or visit www.kfcenter.or.kr.

Film schedules are as follows:

*Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.

“With All My Heart,” directed by Sergio Rubini

*Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.

“My Brother is an Only Child,” directed by Daniele Luchetti

*Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.

“The Hundred Steps,” directed by Marco Tullio Giordana

*Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.

“Crime Novel,” directed by Michele Placido

*Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.

“I’m Not Scared,” directed by Gabriele Salvatores

*Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.

“Don’t Waste Your Time, Johnny!”, directed by Fabrizio Bentivoglio

By Kate Leaver Contributing Writer [estyle@joongang.co.kr]