The Making of a Nation: Italy’s Struggle
Update: 2025-10-09
Description
In this episode of Bits and Bites on Italian Cinema… and Other Stuff, Tonia explores how cinema has portrayed Italy’s long journey toward unification—its heroes, myths, and contradictions. From Visconti’s Senso to Martone’s Noi ci credevamo and Andò’s L’Abbaglio, the episode traces how filmmakers have romanticized the Risorgimento while reflecting the nation’s evolving identity. Alongside this cinematic journey comes a reflection on Pino Aprile’s Terroni, a provocative look at how unification affected southern Italy. History, film, and national pride intertwine in a conversation that questions whether unity came at too great a cost.
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