Italian movies about Sicily - Sicilian cultures and history in the films

Italian movies – a plunge into the culture!

There is an extremely easy way to bring yourself into your favourite place. You will only need a cozy sofa, a little bit of time and a good movie to feel yourself right there! Here I’d like to offer you a selection of movies about Sicily.

Most of them were made by Italian, and often Sicilian – born producers. Many of them also feature local actors. Thus, it is more than simply realistic or a good Hollywood fiction, it is a direct plunge into history, culture, traditions – an intellectual part of being curious about the country!

Are you ready? Here is my list of Italian movies about Sicily for you:

1. Historical films about the XX century

The top producer of such films is definitely Giuseppe Tornatore, born in Bagheria (Sicily). He is the author of the whole list of Italian movies about Sicily, some of them nominated for Oscar. Here is what I personally find best:

1. Baaria (Bagheria)

Describing western Sicily from 1930 to 1971, this film saw light in 2009. Bagheria is the suburb of a bigger Palermo – the howetown of Giuseppe Tornatore. It is probably his best movie, and it was nominated for Oscar.

2. Nuovo Cinema Paradiso

Showing an authentic life of Sicily during similar historic period, this movie was awarded Oscar.

3. L’Uomo delle stelle

Nominated for Oscar

4. Malèna

Another strong influence movie by Giuseppe Tornatore with Monica Belucci – about the Second World War in Sicily.

2. Italian movies: Sicilian contemporary comedies

Basically all movies with these two actors (both Sicilian, born in Palermo) are full of Sicilian joy for life and laughter.

Ficarra e Picone

They are both ironic and happy, a remedy against sadness. And again – a plunge into Sicilian reality by Sicilian – born and Sicilian-raised actors!

My handpicked advice:

1. Nati Stanchi
2 Il 7 è l’8
3. La matassa
4. L’ora legale

3. Italian movies about Sicilian mafia

When it comes to Sicily, mafia is part of history that can’t be simply crossed out. The Godfather is probably the most famous movie about Sicilian cosa nostra, but there are Italian/ Sicilian films which are more documental and closer to real hitsory. If you can find them in English – I definitely recommend watching them:

1. Capo dei Capi

The main protagonist of this movies is notorious Salvatore (Toto) Riina, the boss of the bosses for decades in Sicily died on November 17, 2017.

2. Salvatore Giuliano

3. I 100 passi

This film is close to documental, based on the real life of a journalist Peppino Impastato.

4. Ultimo

5. Giovanni Falcone

This movie isabout the judge who was killed by a bombing ordered by Salvatore Riina.

4. Mafia – related comedies

1. Mafia uccide solo d’estate

2. In guerra per amore

5. Italian TV series

Commissairo Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano)

This TV series has become almost as well-knows as the Godfather, and the stories are set in an imaginary town of Vigàta, Sicily. Most of the scenes are set in south-eastern Sicily. Some (especially locals) will argue that there is little of really authentic Sicily. However, as a non-Sicilian you will probably notice little difference in the ‘correct’ Sicilian dialect; and forgive the lack of documentalism due to captivating stories behind!

Do you like this selection? Have you watched any of these movies? Check our Blog page for more articles about authentic Sicily!

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