Italian Cinema

Experience the genius of Italian cinema and its various genres and traditions. This new 6-week seminar provides an overview of Italy’s rich cinematic history starting with the ground breaking Neo-Realism after WWII up to the end of the 20th century. Thanks to Fellini, Antonioni, Leone and other film geniuses, Italian cinema has become a reference point for world cinema. This course is designed for everyone who wants to know more about Italian cinema. We will watch several must-see masterpieces and discuss them in class.

Each class will run from 6:30pm-9:30pm.
Classes are in English. The films are in Italian with English subtitles.

Registration opens Monday, January 11, 2016
Registration closes Thursday, March 18, 2016
on Eventbrite or call 713-524-4222 ext. 7

1. Thursday, March 24: Introduction to Italian Cinema by Sandra Celli Harris – “A Voyage to Italy” M. Scorsese, 2001
2. Thursday, March 31: Exploring the Boundaries of Neo-realism by Livia Bornigia – “Riso Amaro” Giuseppe De Santis, 1949
3. Thursday, April 7: Italian Cinema and the 1960s by Sandra Celli Harris – “L’Avventura” Michelangelo Antonioni, 1960
4. Thursday, April 14: Magical Realism by Livia Bornigia – “Amarcord” Federico Fellini, 1973
5. Thursday, April 21: Italian Comedy by Sandra Celli Harris – “Divorzio all’Italiana” Pietro Germi, 1961
6. Thursday, April 28: Spaghetti Western by Livia Bornigia – “Il buono, il brutto e il cattivo” Sergio Leone, 1966

Meet the ProfessorsLivia Bornigia: A native of Rome, Italy, Livia Bornigia is an associate professor of Communication at the University of St. Thomas. She holds a Masters in Communication from the University of Houston and a Ph.D. in History from Leicester University in England. Dr. Bornigia teaches rhetorical theory, propaganda and persuasion and various courses in film, both American and international. Her passion for Italian cinema has deep roots—her father worked with some of the great masters, such as Carlo Ponti and Sophia Loren, just to name a few. As a writer, actor and director herself, Dr. Bornigia also has a deep appreciation for the craft of film and theatre making. Outside of academia, she is proud to serve as President of the Board of Directors at the ICCC, as well as to volunteer her time to other social justice projects in collaboration with her students.

Sandra Celli Harris: Sandra Celli Harris is a retired Instructional Assistant Professor in the Italian Studies Program in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at the University of Houston. She has a Master of Arts degree in French Literature and Language from the University of Houston. Her fields of interest are Italian Language Studies, Contemporary Italian Literature, Cinema Studies, Italian Emigration Studies and Italian Opera. Currently she keeps busy with coaching Italian language in the UH Moores School of Music Opera Productions. Sandra serves on the Board of Directors of the ICCC and does film introductions and presentations at the ICCC.