PERMETTE? ROCCO PAPALEO

Italy, 1971, 120 minutes, Colour.
Marcello Mastroianni, Lauren Hutton.
Directed by Ettore Scola.

Italian writer Ettore Scola began writing in 1952, continuing till the early years of the 21st century. He began directing in 1964. As the 1970s and 1980s went on, he became much more of an international figure. Rocco Papaleo is one of his earliest films. Films which made an impact internationally included A Special Day with Marcello Mastroianni and Sophia Loren. His films of the 1980s made even more impact: Passion of Love, That Night in Varennes, Le Bal, The Family.

This film is about an Italian worker from Alaska who travels to Chicago, undergoes a series of adventures which transform his life – as well as reveal much about American society. Marcello Mastroianni is the hero, Rocco, and a young Lauren Hutton has a supporting role.

1. The work of Ettore Scola? Vision of Italy? Italian culture? Confronting the U.S.? Contrasts of cultures?

2. Colour photography, Chicago, the Italian viewpoint of the United States? Style and pace?

3. Marcello Mastroianni and his embodying Italy? Lauren Hutton as embodying the United States? Clash, love, interaction?

4. Marcello Mastroianni as Papaleo: his presence, background in Italy, American dreams, hopes, stories, sport, goals, fulfilment? As a man? As a symbol?

5. His pleasantness and niceness: reality, symbolism? Examples of his kindness and consideration, generosity, concern, naivety? Too good to be true? Enjoyable ? but irritating?

6. The accident and the fact, the help, the repercussions, gratitude, devotion, infatuation, obsession, alienation?

7. The American girl and the accident, reaction, concern, invitation? Her ordinariness and reaction to Papaleo? His presence? Protection, annoyance, alienation? Life, style, relationships? His intrusion? Reaction? violence?

8. The impact of the rejection and its effect?

9. Comic sequences? The contrast with things Italian and things American? Comedy, sentiment? A successful fable?