In this ambitious research-filled exploration of one of Italian cinema's most fascinating & influential figures, Canadian actor-writer-podcaster Robert Bellissimo returns to the podcast to discuss the singularly daring maestro Luchino Visconti. An aristocratic count turned Socialist who fought the Nazis as a member of the Italian Resistance & was sentenced to death before fate & history intervened & he was eventually able to testify & help sentence to death the man who tortured him during WWII, Luchino Visconti is a man who lived a thousand lifetimes before he became one of the most acclaimed & groundbreaking directors of the twentieth century.
The man behind arguably the first Neorealist feature, the film noir OSSESSIONE (which was made before Hollywood adapted the same James M. Cain novel as THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE), in this rich episode, we discuss three of his towering, staggeringly beautiful, & emotionally devastating works, including ROCCO AND HIS BROTHERS (which inspired both THE GODFATHER & RAGING BULL), THE LEOPARD, & DEATH IN VENICE. Delving into the history, significance, analysis, text, & subtext of these remarkable movies, this is a conversation to listen to with a notebook as it might send you on the hunt for more incredible features.
Robert's Bio: Robert Bellissimo is an actor, acting teacher, and YouTube video podcaster. He is also an ongoing contributor to two Toronto film critics' websites, IN THE SEATS and SCREENFISH. Robert's YouTube channel - Robert Bellissimo at the Movies - is an exploration of all things cinema, which includes reviews and in-depth interviews with guests who work in film.
Originally Posted on Patreon (3/26/24) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/101108059
Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive
Shop Watch With Jen logo Merchandise in Logo Designer Kate Gabrielle's Threadless Shop
Watch With Jen - S4: E24 - Budd Boetticher's Ranown Westerns with Chris McKay
Watch With Jen - S4: E23 - Double Play Productions: A Conversation with Amy Robinson & Griffin Dunne (+ Kate Hagen)
Watch With Jen - S4: E22 - French Crime Movies: Part 1 with William Boyle
Watch With Jen - S4: E21 - "Succession" with Roxana Hadadi
Watch With Jen - S4: E20 - PTA & DDL with Ethan Warren
Watch With Jen - S4: E19 - 3 Thrillers from '93 with Peter Avellino
Watch With Jen - S4: E18 - Dennis Hopper - Part 3
Watch With Jen - S4: E17 - Dennis Hopper - Part 2
Watch With Jen - S4: E16 - Dennis Hopper - Part 1
Watch With Jen - S4: E15 - Kurt Russell with Chris & Elizabeth Cantwell
Watch With Jen - S4: E14 - Literary Adaptations with Kristen Lopez
Watch With Jen - S4: E13 - Early Richard Gere with Leslie Byron Pitt
Watch With Jen - S4: E12 - My First Movie: Film Noir, French New Wave, & Giallo Horror with Cory Everett
Watch With Jen - S4: E11 - George Stevens with James Urbaniak
Watch With Jen - S4: E10 - Erotic '90s with Karina Longworth
Watch With Jen - S4: E9 - Gambling Movies with Rob Belushi & Jordan Harper
Watch With Jen - S4: E8 - Pierce Brosnan's Bond Era with Julia Ricci
Watch With Jen - S4: E7 - A Conversation with Phoenix Film Festival Executive Director Jason Carney
Watch With Jen - S4: E6 - KNIGHT AND DAY & LONG SHOT with Maria Lewis
Watch With Jen - S4: E5 - Noah Baumbach with Duncan Birmingham
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Best Song Podcast
Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever*
Too Much Information
Talking Simpsons
The Secret History Of Hollywood