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Italy is Rotten

Name: Italy is Rotten
Director: Steno
Released: 1976
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

1976

Director

Steno

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Steno's comedy serves as a regionalist social commentary, using the tension between Sicilian migrants and the industrial North to critique Italian social structures. While it addresses systemic economic hardship, the film relies heavily on traditional socioeconomic clichés. The narrative lacks complexity in character motivations, focusing on survival rather than a deconstruction of identity. While it effectively challenges regionalist prejudices, it fails to offer diverse representation in terms of women's ability to drive the story or LGBTQ+ presence.

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Category Breakdown

Does Italy is Rotten have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. The narrative centers on regional migration and socioeconomic struggles.

How does Italy is Rotten portray gender?

Limited

Domenica is the main female character, but her storyline revolves around systemic hardships and forced prostitution. Her role is defined more by victimhood than active ability to act.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Italy is Rotten?

Fair

The story highlights internal ethnic tensions by depicting Northern Italy as exclusionary toward Sicilian protagonists. This critique disrupts a monolithic view of Italian identity and regional prejudices.

How does Italy is Rotten represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques established social and economic institutions through its depiction of systemic failures. It uses the characters' migration to highlight the shortcomings of capitalist structures and social safety nets.

Does Italy is Rotten include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities in this work.

Present on Screen

Critiques regionalist prejudices and the exclusionary nature of Northern Italian social structures.
Provides a social commentary on the systemic failures of capitalist institutions and social safety nets.

Limited or Absent

Lacks active women's ability to drive the story, often relegating women to the role of victims of circumstance.
Fails to include LGBTQ+ representation or characters with disabilities.
Relies on traditional socioeconomic clichés rather than exploring deeper multi-layered identities.

Official Synopsis

Two Sicilian's, Peppe Truzzoliti and Antonio Mancuso, decide, after a misadventure with some mafia drug dealers, to leave the cold and racist Turin to return to their native land. Along for the ride with them is Domenica, a beautiful girl from Veneto, who had arrived in Turin in search of work, but due to a number of setbacks, had been forced into prostitution.

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