"Before fighting the Mafia you must first examine your own conscience, and then, after you have defeated the Mafia inside yourself, you can fight the Mafia that's in your circle of friends. We ourselves and our mistaken way of behaving are the Mafia."
-An excerpt from Rita Atria's diary
Earlier I watched "La Siciliana Ribelle" (The Sicilian Girl). It's about a young woman who turns against her mafioso family and breaks the code of silence. Even though it was slow at parts, I very much enjoyed it. Although, I have to say, I am a sucker for true stories!
Just a note... Even if you don't watch the movie, you should still look up Rita Atria. What she did was truly remarkable and showed how strong she truly was. I particularly this news article from 1992, the year it happened.
Club Dogo introduced me to the Italian hip hop scene over a year ago, and they've always been my favourite since. Also, here is Club Dogo - In Mezzo Al Banco. If you click this link there will be an entire playlist of Club Dogo you can listen to. Going to sleep for the night, sonno stanco. Buona notte, mondo!
Al Ristorante
An elegant restaurant where Italians eat a full course meal. Price and quality depend on the restaurant.
In Trattoria
This is a place for the whole family! Filled with local dishes, here you usually have a main course and dessert. It's cheaper and less formal then un ristorante (a restaurant).
In Pizzeria
Everyone knows Italians are famous for their pizza! In pizzerias Italians have their thin pizza cooked in a wood-burning stove, usually accompanied with a coke or beer. Now, here in the states, there are big pizza chains. In Italy, there's lots of pizzerias, all different. Everything local, and Italians go either where the pizza's good or where they know the owner.
Alla Tavola Calda Like a cafeteria, this is for Italians on the go. There are lots of foods already prepared and no need for waiters. You just chose what you want to eat and pay the cashier. It's common for Italians to eat here during their lunch hours, and you can find these diners by offices downtown.
In Paninoteca
Full of sandwiches, pizzas, and salads... students love to come here. Usually near universities, the food is fast and cheap! Students come in during quick breaks, as well as to study for hours or talk about classes with friends.
We all know how sexy the Italian language is, so here are a few romantic words
and phrases to woo your special someone <3
Amore -
Love Tesoro - Treasure Bello/Bella -
Handsome/Beautiful
Mi manche - I miss you Ti
adoro - I adore you Ti amo - I love
you
Tu sei una amore - You are my love Sei la mia
anima gemella - You are my soul mate Sei il mio
universo - You are my universe
Baciami - Kiss
me Voglio baciarti - I want to kiss you Ricevo un
bacio? - Do I get a kiss? Un millione di baci -
Love and kisses Baciami, parlo italiano - Kiss me, I speak
Italian Vieni qui e baciami - Come here and kiss
me Ogni volta che ti bacio dimentico dove sono - Every time
I kiss you I forget where I am
Il mio cuore e' per voi - My
heart is for you Sto cadendo nell'amore con voi - I am
falling in love with you Senza di te la mia vita non ha
senso - Without you my life makes no sense Non posso vivere
senza te - I can't live without you Voglio passare il resto
della mia vita con te - I want to spend the rest of my life with
you
Quanto mi ami? - How much do you love me? Lo
sposereste? - Will you marry me?
Ti desidero -
I want you Da te o da me? - Your place or mine? E
stato stupendo - That was amazing Ora mi sleghi per
favore? - Will you please untie me now? Domani alla stessa
ora? - Same time tomorrow?
Siamo angeli con un'ala sola,
solo restando abbracciati possiamo volare. - We are angels only with
one wing, only embracing each other we are able to fly. (Luciano De
Crescenzo)
If you have any specific requests, leave a comment and I'll get
back to you. Otherwise... go win some hearts!
"... l'angel di Dio mi prese, e quel d'inferno gridava: O tu del Ciel, perche' mi privi? Tu te ne porti di costui l'eterno per una lacrimetta che'l mi toglie ..."
My close friend Mauro, born and raised in Roma, said that if I were to watch any Italian movie it had to be one by Pier Paolo Pasolini. Last night I finally gave in with "Accattone" (Beggar). Let me tell you, he was right.
Now, with it's neorealistic qualities, it's not for everyone. It is a grim tale written about a hard time, so you might want to skip it if you have a light stomach. If you stick through it though, Franco Citti (The Godfather) does such a spectacular job, that by the end you're left with a certain kind of hope and satisfaction. I think it's perfect for a Sunday night, accompanied by a glass of red wine.
Here is a link for Accottane (1961) - it has English and Spanish subtitles. Enjoy!
I just finished watching "Cosa Voglio Di Più" (Coming Undone)... If you haven't seen it, watch it! It's full of steamy scenes and has an ending that keeps you on your toes. But the real reason to watch this film is super sexy Pierfrancesco Favino. Originally from Rome, he's worked in a wide range of films. From dramas to comedies, this man does it all. Even if you're not well versed in Italian movies, you have probably seen him in "Night of the Museum" or "Chronicles of Narnia."
