Science Fiction Italian Films:

In Robert Rushings essay title “The Weight of History: Immunity and the Nation in Italian Science-Fiction Cinema” he makes the argument that science fiction is a rather “weird fit” for Italy.  His argument is relating to that of its rich cultural past which makes it difficult to imagine a future.  If Italy is struggling with its present and past then it will seldom seek to look into the future as all that can seen is indeed more difficulty.  However, this is not to say that there was not any science fiction material that was present in Italy.  Quite the contrary in some respects.  Despite the fact that not a lot of original material had been produced in regards to science fiction it was still fairly popular.  This is only because of the influx of American science fiction films that had done fairly well.

Why is this?  If the Italians were so adverse to ideas present in science fiction then why was it consumed in such quantities if it was from other countries.  Well it was precisely that fact argues the author.  Those films that were imported did not directly represent the Italian culture and it was a different style of cinema that was common of that of Hollywood.  In fact many science fiction films that came out in Italy represented characters that were of American, German, or British origin. In addition to this Italian science fiction films often were imitations or derivatives of other famous works.  For example may be seen in the film Star Wars.  When this film came out people around the world attempted to mimic the global appeal that came from this film and it was the same in Italy.  The example mentioned in the essay are in relation to a director named Luigi Cozzi who made an Italian American film called Star Crash, which featured both David HasselHoff and Christopher Plummer, which tried to mimic the appeal of Star Wars.  Another example  would be in relation to Ridley Scott’s Alien.  Luigi Cozzi directed another film called Contamination that very closely mimicked the plot of Scott’s film.  Italian Science fiction is not envisioning an Italian future but an American one.

 

Post-Apocalyptic:

However, there are films that fall into the post apocalyptic genre that break this mold.  These films are taking a look at what would happen if society were to fall and the consequences of industrialization and technology.  These films had no fantasies of extravagant upper class settings but everyone was fighting to survive in often desert wastelands.  This was not strictly American but everyone in this world was equal.  A popular film from Italy that was developed in this style was L’Ultimo Della Terra which is based on the book I am Legend by Richard Matheson.  American versions of this film are The Omega Man starring Charlton Heston and I am Legend starring Will Smith.

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiration to other Films:

While the genre of science fiction has not been wide spread in Italy there are many different films that have used science fiction based elements in their production.  A notable example would be in the films of Michelangelo Antonioni in which the landscapes are very strongly correlated to that of post apocalyptic science fiction films.  The most notable film of his that takes this approach is Deserto Rosso. The landscapes are tinted in a dark grey and everything seems in be in a state of decay.  There are many long shots that show off these landscapes in a manner that is similar to that of Mad Max.  This use of longer shots make the landscape feel less cluttered and makes the world feel barren.  The film however is not set in a post-apocalypse but rather in Italy near a petrochemical plant.  These shots are meant to show an unease and alienation that the main character experiences during the film.  It very well may be a commentary on industry

in general and the harmful effects it can reap.  The interiors of the factory are also in a state of disrepair.  There are a few moments of bright color in the film such as a scene on the water where a little girl sees a boat on the ocean.  However, even in this scene the beach is deserted as well.  This isolation is present through the film and very similar to that the main character in Mad Mad feels on his travels across the wasteland.