Illusions of Grandeur - LA NOTTE (1961)

An examination of a dolce vita losing its vigor, Michelangelo Antonioni's efforts in this 1961 neorealist effort turns its viewfinder towards Italy's alienated upper class. Marcello Mastroianni, Jeanne Moreau, and Monica Vitti form one of cinema's most formidable acting trios as they meander through the claustrophobic downtowns and dysphoric  villas of Milan; much as their passions threaten to burst from their sublimated seams, the film's form is an equal masterclass in inviting viewer interpretation through its deep space compositions and tragic dialogue. Join your hosts on their trip to Italy's concrete jungle, as they grapple with the ambiguity raised by the film's cinematography, restrained performances, and adventurous use of neorealist style!

Kevin Catalano's Article - "Antonioni the Architect: ARNHEIM, SPACE, AND THE POST-WAR WORLDS OF LA NOTTE AND L’ECLISSE"