Love and passion. 7 Italian dramas

7. "Breaking Up in Rome" / Lasciarsi un giorno a Roma

• 2022
• Italy
• Melodrama, comedy
• Directory: Edoardo Leo
• Starring: Edoardo Leo, Marta Nieto, Claudia Gerini, Stefano Fresi, Esther Ortega
• IMDb Rating: 6.5

Writer Tommaso (Edoardo Leo) works part-time at a magazine under a pseudonym, where he gives advice to lovers in an author's column. His girlfriend Zoe (Marta Nieto) is thinking of breaking up with him after years together and, wanting to get an outside perspective on the situation, she sends a letter to the editor, which eventually finds its way to Tommaso. Now the writer has to make a difficult choice about the future with Zoe, as well as help a friend who is also confused about his relationship with his wife.

Comedy melodrama not only tells about the difficulties in relationships with Italian flavor, but also introduces viewers to incredible views of Rome, which will not leave anyone indifferent.

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6. "Fasten Your Seatbelts" / Allacciate le Cinture

• 2014
• Italy
• Melodrama
• Director: Ferzan Özpetek
• Starring: Kasia Smutniak, Francesco Arca, Filippo Scicchitano, Carolina Crescentini, Francesco Scianna
• IMDb Rating: 6.5

Elena (Kasia Smutniak) works as a waitress in a bar and has been dating a young man named George (Francesco Scianna) for two years. Her idyll is broken by meeting a rebellious Antonio (Francesco Arca), who is the complete opposite of the girl. Nevertheless, Elena is very attracted to Antonio, and he to her. They get married, have children and build their own business. In their lives there is harmony and understanding, except for the fact that all this time there is another man in Elena's life. Fabio (Filippo Schicchitano) is Elena's longtime friend and work colleague. Elena cannot make a choice between him and Antonio until circumstances force her to do so.

The film's creator Ferzan Özpetek is considered one of the leading European directors. His films "Facing Windows" (2003), "Loose Cannons" (2010), "Magnificent Presence" (2012) received awards and participated in the programs of many European film festivals, including events in Cannes, Venice, Berlin.

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5. "Alaska" 

• 2015
• Italy
• Drama, melodrama
• Director: Claudio Cupellini
• Starring: Elio Germano, Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, Valerio Binasco, Elena Radonicich, Antoine Oppenheim
• IMDb Rating: 6.7

Fausto (Elio Germano) works as a waiter in a hotel and dreams of a higher position. Nadine (Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey) is taking her first steps in modeling. They meet by chance in Paris and immediately get into a whirlwind of complicated life events. The couple falls in love with each other, but it seems that their relationship is doomed.

"Alaska" won two awards David di Donatello Award, which is presented annually by the Italian Academy of Cinema Arts, for Best Actress (Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey) and Best Supporting Actor (Valerio Binasco).

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4. "The Last Kiss" / L'ultimo bacio

• 2001
• Italy
• Drama, melodrama, comedy
• Director: Gabriele Muccino
• Starring: Stefano Accorsi, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Stefania Sandrelli, Claudio Santamaria, Giorgio Pasotti
• IMDb Rating: 6.9

For Carlo (Stefano Accorsi), an advertising agency worker, the news that his beloved Giulia (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) is pregnant comes as a complete surprise. Carlo doesn't realize whether he is ready to be a faithful husband and a good father. Making matters worse are married friends who tell Carlo about the difficulties of married life. In addition, he is not sure that he is already content with his life, and he is still attracted to beautiful and young girls.

"The Last Kiss" took the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, and Stefania Sandrelli, who played the mother of the main character in the film, won the award in the category Best Actress at the European Film Academy Awards.

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3. "I Am Love" / Io sono l'amore

• 2009
• Italy
• Melodrama, drama
• Director: Luca Guadagnino
• Starring: Tilda Swinton, Flavio Parenti, Edoardo Gabbriellini, Alba Rohrwacher, Pippo Delbono
• IMDb Rating: 7.0

Emma (Tilda Swinton) is married to the powerful Tancredi (Pippo Delbono), the head of an esteemed respectable family. She feels unhappy in her marriage. One day her son Edoardo (Flavio Parenti) brings his friend Antonio (Edoardo Gabbriellini) to the house, with whom he plans to open a restaurant. Emma falls madly in love with the young man, and they begin a passionate affair.

The film won the Golden Globe and BAFTA awards for Best Foreign Language Film, as well as an Oscar for Best Costume Design.

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2. "The Tiger and the Snow" / La tigre e la neve

• 2005
• Italy
• Drama, melodrama, comedy, military
• Director: Roberto Benigni
• Starring: Roberto Benigni, Jean Reno, Nicoletta Braschi, Tom Waits, Emilia Fox
• IMDb Rating: 7.0

Talented poet Attilio (Roberto Benigni) dreams every night of his own wedding to a mysterious stranger (Nicoletta Braschi). One day he meets the lover from the dream in real life. Their paths diverge, and after a while Attilio learns that the stranger a from the dream has been seriously wounded in military operations in the Middle East. He drops everything and rushes to his beloved.

"The Tiger and the Snow" won the Silver Ribbon of the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists for best screenplay and music.

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1. "Malèna"  

• 2000
• Italy
• Drama, melodrama, war
• Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
• Starring: Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro, Luciano Federico, Matilde Piana, Gaetano Aronica
• IMDb Rating: 7.4

World War II is raging when 13-year-old Renato (Giuseppe Sulfaro) falls in love with Malèna (Monica Bellucci). He loses his peace and is unable to get the local beauty out of his mind. The tragic fate of the incredibly charming Malèna unfolds before Renato's eyes, forced to live among greedy and envious people who do not tolerate other people's beauty.

The movie was nominated for an Oscar in the categories of Best Cinematography and Best Music (Ennio Morricone). The movie also has various nominations including the BAFTA Award, Berlin Film Festival, Golden Globe, and others.

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