Italy Celebrates Pasta in Its Cinema
One of the images that best represents the long and cherished tradition of Italian cinema is that of Alberto Sordi in Un Americano a Roma, devouring a plate of pasta—specifically spaghetti—while shouting the battle cry, “You provoked me, and I’ll destroy you.” It was 1954, and Sordi’s scene at the table was just one of countless tributes that followed, dedicated by great actors and directors, Italian and beyond, to the king of kitchens and restaurants of the Bel Paese.
Pasta and Cinema, the Contribution of Sergio Leone and His Spaghetti Westerns
Speaking of the pasta-cinema connection in Italy, it’s impossible not to mention Sergio Leone, the Roman director who made the term “spaghetti” universally associated with his western films. Why this expression? Initially, “spaghetti westerns” referred to films shot in Italian with limited budgets, following the principles of American cinema. Though initially met with skepticism, critics recognized their value, expanding the audience for Italian westerns worldwide. Much like pasta itself, a simple yet authentic dish.
Italian Cinema Brings Pasta to the Big Screen
Focusing on Italian films, there are countless examples where pasta serves as a symbol and metaphor to convey various messages. For instance, La Grande Abbuffata, Marco Ferreri’s 1973 film, explores an obsessive relationship with food and excess. Pasta becomes a vehicle for hedonism, representing the insatiable desire to eat well. A plate of spaghetti also brings Peppone and Don Camillo to the same table in the iconic Il Ritorno di Don Camillo (1953). Meanwhile, the tuna-fedelini shared around a festive table in Parenti Serpenti (1992) provide an opportunity to delve into family dynamics during the Christmas holidays.
More Than Just a Dish: Through Pasta, Cinema Celebrates Italian Culture
The success and frequent representation of pasta in Italian cinema are due to its role as an indispensable symbol of the Bel Paese’s culture. The list of films that continue to set an example worldwide, featuring scenes of conviviality around the table, could go on and on. Federico Fellini’s Amarcord and Ettore Scola’s La Famiglia transform food—and what better example than pasta?—into a metaphor for family stability (or instability, depending on social dynamics) and, above all, its cultural identity rooted throughout the Italian peninsula. More than just a dish, then: a symbol, a story, and a true declaration of love for one’s country.
