This article originally appeared in the June/July 2024 issue of Dream of Italy.
With streaming platforms making international content accessible worldwide, Italian television shows and films are quickly finding their way to American screens, especially through Netflix. A new realm of entertainment awaits exploration, which can also enhance your Italian language skills—just search for “Italian” in your streaming apps.
One important lesson in expanding your Italian vocabulary is that repetition is crucial. This highlights the value of watching your favorite shows in Italian repeatedly, episode after episode. Remember that the goal of immersing yourself in Italian through television is not to understand every dialogue but to grasp the main plot and some of the dialogue along the way.
As a non-native Italian speaker, it may take decades to turn on the evening news and follow every subtle headline accurately. Your aim shouldn’t be complete comprehension but rather enough understanding to encourage further viewing!
Thanks to La Vita è Bella, we will always remember that “Buongiorno Principessa!” translates to “Good morning, Princess!” Meanwhile, Eat, Pray, Love introduced us to the Italian phrase for “to cross over,” which is “attraversiamo.” We might recall Julia Roberts as she practices the Italian pronunciation, with the focus on her mouth demonstrating the characteristic “ee-ah-mo” sound at the end of the word.
Research indicates that watching television or films in a foreign language with subtitles in the same language significantly improves comprehension. Naturally, a foundational level of Italian is necessary for watching shows in Italian with Italian subtitles. A comprehensive immersion program or several months spent in Italy would be ideal for kickstarting your learning journey; however, you can become accustomed to the sounds and vocabulary from home. Hearing new words, reading subtitles, and associating that information with visual cues on screen reinforces your learning process.
Italian television and film critic Alessandra De Tommasi attributes her love for TV as a primary motivator in her journey to learn and master English, her second language. She engaged in watching and rewatching American television episodes and engaged in discussions with fellow Italians. “We were completely captivated,” she recalls, “and we overcame the fear of learning a second language through the joy we shared.”
While working, Alessandra keeps English TV shows or movies playing in the background, similar to how some might enjoy music. Instead of melodies, she allows the English language to flow from her speakers, using it as a passive method to expand and refine her vocabulary.
Here are a few recommendations for recent Italian films and TV shows available for streaming on Netflix. Buona visione!
The Law According to Lidia Poët (La Legge di Lidia Poët)
This show, which debuted last year, is set in Turin in 1883 and is loosely based on the story of how the Albo degli Avvocati, or Registry of Lawyers, attempted to disbar Italy’s first female lawyer, Lidia Poët. Working in her brother’s firm, Lidia, despite her family’s concerns, constructs a case to challenge the unjust ruling.
Starring the captivating Matilda De Angelis as Lidia, the role of Jacopo Barberis is portrayed by Eduardo Scarpetta from the renowned Scarpetta-De Filippo family. Jacopo Barberis is a fictional character created to add a touch of comic relief to the narrative.
To the dismay of the Poët family, the actors utilize colloquial language that isn’t entirely historically accurate. While this may be an oversight, it allows viewers to engage with modern Italian language, making it relatable to contemporary conversations.
The introduction of a love interest and a focus on Lidia’s beauty creates tension with her family’s narrative, which claims it distracts from her remarkable intellect and determination. Nevertheless, she emerges as a powerful figure, and viewers will find themselves rooting for her from beginning to end.
An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts (Guida astrologica per cuori infranti)
Alice (pronounced Ah-lee-cheh) Bassi works for a small fictional television network, Dora TV, in contemporary Italy. Following a breakup, she turns to an “astrology expert” from the network to help her navigate her heartbreak.
While many scenes are set in the television station, the street views are unmistakably Torinese. The iconic Mole Antonelliana tower appears in the skyline shots, a must-visit destination in Turin. It houses the National Museum of Cinema and features a spectacular glass elevator that ascends 250 feet in just one minute, offering 360-degree views of the city.
Still Time (Era Ora)
This film presents a time-traveling plot reminiscent of Groundhog Day, where Dante, played by Edoardo Leo, celebrates his 40th birthday but finds himself jumping forward in time each morning, reliving his special day continuously.
The story provides insight into Italian family dynamics and relationships. While stereotypes often portray Italian mothers as overbearing and their sons as “Mamma’s boys,” this film offers an alternate perspective on the complex relationships modern families nurture.
Italian television and film expert Alessandra De Tommasi notes, “Era Ora is one of the most beloved Italian comedies on Netflix in recent years. Why? Sure, Edoardo Leo is well-loved, but it’s also fresh yet profound. Time can change everything….”
The time leaps reveal Dante’s struggles with his failing relationship, as well as his connections with his daughter, relatives, and friends. Ultimately, he scrambles to halt the passage of time or, at the very least, to improve his life. This film is both heartwarming and relatable in our fast-paced world that moves velocemente.
Alessandro Cattelan: A Simple Question (Alessandro Cattelan: Una semplice domanda)
This 2022 program begins with a poignant inquiry from Cattelan’s daughter: “Dad, what is happiness?” He embarks on a journey across Italy to seek the answer. This show is ideal for practicing your Italian fluency, as it showcases a variety of regional accents from around the country. As a well-known television host in Italy, Cattelan travels throughout the region, highlighting these unique accents.
The responses to the question of happiness are telling about Italian culture and values. He interviews notable Italians, including soccer stars Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Baggio, as well as acclaimed director Paolo Sorrentino, known for his works like La Grande Bellezza, Youth – La Giovinezza, and The Young Pope.
What better way to explore a culture’s heritage than to seek answers to such a fundamental question? Love, faith, and pain are intricately woven with happiness throughout this series, and the complex responses to seemingly simple questions lead to heartwarming reflections. The finale addresses whether happiness is something one can learn. Tune in to find out.
The Lying Life of Adults (La Vita Bugiarda degli Adulti)
Elena Ferrante is arguably the most renowned Italian author of recent decades, though little is known about her intensely private life. Her internationally acclaimed Neapolitan novels, including My Brilliant Friend (L’amica geniale, 2012), have been adapted into a beloved television series that premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2018. Film expert Alessandra De Tommasi states that “Ferrante is revered as a modern goddess, capable of articulating society’s complexities, both light and dark.”
The latest series, The Lying Life of Adults, based on her recent novel of the same name, offers a captivating glimpse into one of Italy’s most vibrant cities and languages, with napoletana often considered a language in its own right. Wealthy Giovanna spends time in a rougher area of Naples with her Aunt Vittoria, with both the city and its dialect serving as significant characters in the series.
As Giovanna delves deeper into her family’s secrets, the outcome is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age narrative that only Ferrante could invent. Much like her adaptation of My Brilliant Friend, De Tommasi notes, “la vita bugiarda degli adulti illustrates how women often strive to do whatever it takes to survive,” a sentiment recognized globally, but particularly resonant in Naples, where societal responsibilities often rest heavily on the shoulders and in the hearts of women.
–Danielle Abbazia
Danielle Abbazia is the associate editor of Dream of Italy magazine. She lives in the Eternal City with her husband and their two tiny Romans.
