Author: Mario Patanè (edited by)

Year: 2026

Pages: 351

Publisher: Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia; Rubbettino

ISBN: 9788849888430

Series: Bianco e nero a colori

Description

The multifaceted and complex cultural landscape of twentieth-century Italy has produced many remarkable figures, with Umberto Barbaro ranking among the most complex and prolific. Curated with passion and care by Mario Patanè, this volume is a significant academic contribution that captures the depth of an intellectual who faced the contradictions of his time with clarity and courage, leaving an enduring legacy in the history of cinema, criticism, and education. More than just a fitting tribute, therefore, this book is a historiographical and critical tribute to a leading figure in the diverse socio-cultural landscape of our country. Over the years Barbaro became a true icon of Italian cinema: a storyteller, playwright, historian and committed critic, art and film theorist, director and screenwriter. Barbaro’s life and career are inextricably linked to the history of the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, which he joined after being invited by Luigi Chiarini, his fellow student and friend, to oversee the school’s editorial, scientific and educational programme. His teaching and critical work inspired entire generations of filmmakers, as evidenced by his students, who went on to become great masters such as Michelangelo Antonioni, Giuseppe De Santis, Pietro Germi and Pietro Ingrao. By closely examining Barbaro’s versatility, the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia honours its mission to protect and promote the human and cultural heritage that has shaped our identity, providing new generations with the tools to understand the depth and timelessness of this true and undisputed master’s vision.