Rome through the Eyes of Oscar-Winner -

Rome is back on the list of the “top ten” major film cities. This time it was the director Paolo Sorrentino who has managed to depict the authenticity of the Romans. The movie “The Great Beauty” recently won the 2014 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. It’s his fourteenth award. So with the excuse to learn more about this film, the director and the Eternal City, we are taking you on a tour of Rome.

Sorrentino´s latest film is set in an idyllic setting on Janiculum Hill when a Japanese tourist faints and drops dead while observing the beauty of Rome from the top. You definitely shouldn’t miss seeing one of the best views of the city of Rome. Janiculum Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990, is located in the famous Trastevere district, which is known for its bohemian and alternative character.

The protagonist of the film, Jep Gambardella is a Don Juan, a writer and seducer of women with a busy life divided between parties with friends, fancy dinners, feasts, etc. But, of course, as the saying goes, all that glitters is not gold. Jep has been trying to ignore that he, like everyone else, is getting older. He realizes he is no longer the person he was and decides to turn his life around. And all this takes place in a setting to envy. The central terrace of his apartment, which overlooks the Roman Colosseum, is pretty hard to beat. Imagine going to a party on this huge terrace looking out onto this illuminated work of art and enjoying a drink by the light of the moon. Well, this could very well be possible if you look in the right places. And you´re not on the wrong track.

The director already received a Golden Globe and a BAFTA and now “The Great Beauty” has won an Oscar, the fourteenth Hollywood has awarded Italy. Sorrentino ´s film competed in this edition with the Palestinian “Omar,” the Cambodian “L’ image maquante,” the Belgian “Alabama Monroe,” and the Danish “Thomas Vinterberg hunting.” It beat out the competition on March 2 at the gala in the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles (USA).

“The Great Beauty” is a tribute to Federico Fellini, who has had a great influence on the film by Paolo Sorrentino. It has a lot in common with “La Dolce Vita.”

If you want to see some additional movies shot in the city before visiting Rome, take note. Here are a few more: in addition to “La Dolce Vita,” there’s “Roman Holiday,” “A Room in Rome,” “Il Sorpasso,” Inferno”, “To Rome With Love”, “Only You”, “Oceans 12” , “Mamma Roma,” “Cleopatra,” “Caro Diario,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” and “The English Patient.” Of course, in order to imagine Rome at the height of its splendor, you won’t want to miss “Gladiator.”

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CASA GREEN