In this episode, we unpack Eat Pray Love and its picture-perfect vision of Rome. The film presents the Eternal City as a sun-drenched playground for self-discovery, but does it truly capture its essence? We explore how cinematic techniques create an alluring yet curated version of Rome, catering to a tourist gaze that glosses over the city’s complexities. From romanticized food culture to idealized encounters, we examine what is gained—and lost—when Rome becomes a backdrop for personal reinvention rather than a city with its own rich, living history.

Rome’s grandeur is legendary, but what about the unseen forces that shaped its modern landscape? In this episode, we uncover abusivismo, the phenomenon of illegal construction that redefined the city after World War II. From desperate migrants building makeshift homes to powerful developers exploiting legal loopholes, we explore how nearly 20% of Rome’s built environment emerged outside the law. With corruption, politics, and urban struggle intertwined, discover how Rome’s unofficial architecture tells a story of resilience, survival, and contested space.

In this episode, we explore Pier Paolo Pasolini’s complex relationship with Rome, a city he both revered and rejected. Far from romanticized postcards, his Rome was found in the periphery—shanty towns, council housing, and the raw energy of the ragazzi di vita. Through films like Accattone and Hawks and Sparrows, Pasolini mapped an alternative Rome, exposing the tensions between ancient grandeur and modern consumerism. Discover how his art forces us to look beyond the surface, challenging our perceptions of authenticity, progress, and human struggle.

In this episode, we explore how Italian cinema and fashion redefined Rome’s image on the world stage. From the postwar fascination with Hollywood to the rise of La Dolce Vita, Italian filmmakers and designers crafted a distinct vision of glamour—rooted in authenticity, heritage, and effortless elegance. We uncover how stars like Silvana Mangano and designers like the Fontana sisters blended tradition with modern allure, transforming Rome into the epicenter of style and aspiration. Discover how Italian glamour became a global phenomenon, shaping culture far beyond its borders.

How did postwar Rome transform into a global fashion capital, rivaling even Paris? In this episode, we explore the powerful synergy between film, fashion, and the Made in Italy brand. With Cinecittà Studios attracting major Hollywood productions and Italian designers redefining elegance, Rome became a hub of cinematic glamour and high fashion. From artisan craftsmanship to the city’s visual allure, discover how Rome’s postwar reinvention shaped its enduring status as a style icon on the world stage.

In this episode, we explore how the people of Rome were seen and depicted in the 19th century, caught between the grandeur of their ancient past and the Catholic world’s influence. From romanticized portrayals of the Trastevere neighborhood to photography’s role in shaping a new realism, we uncover how artists, writers, and travelers constructed enduring images of Roman identity. Discover how everyday Romans were both celebrated and misunderstood, and how these narratives continue to shape perceptions of the Eternal City today.

In this episode, we dive into the life and legacy of Palma Bucarelli, the trailblazing director of Rome’s Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna. From safeguarding Italy’s artistic treasures during World War II to championing avant-garde art in a city steeped in tradition, Bucarelli transformed how Rome engaged with modernity. Her daring acquisitions, innovative exhibitions, and unwavering belief in art’s power redefined the role of museums. Discover how this remarkable woman bridged Rome’s historic legacy with the boldness of 20th-century modern art.

In this episode, we uncover the distinct character of Italian pop art, also known as La Scuola di Piazza del Popolo. Emerging alongside American pop art in the 1960s, this movement blended consumer culture with Italy’s rich artistic history. Artists like Renato Mambor and Mario Schifano redefined mass imagery, balancing fascination with critique. Through their artisanal processes and critical engagement, they resisted conformity while exploring themes of individuality, consumerism, and media overload. Discover how Italian pop art continues to resonate in our hypermediated world.

In this episode, we explore Mussolini’s transformation of Rome into a symbol of fascist power, from monumental avenues like Via dei Fori Imperiali to the creation of EUR. Balancing modernism with classical grandeur, architects like Piacentini navigated the tension between progress and tradition. We uncover the human cost of these urban visions, the propaganda woven into everyday spaces, and the subtle acts of resistance that defied the regime’s control. Discover how Rome became both a stage for ideology and a city of resilience, embodying the complexities of its time.

In this episode, we explore how Rome became a battleground of ideas during the rise of fascism in Italy. From the Risorgimento’s vision of a unified capital to the futurists’ disdain for its ruins and Mussolini’s calculated embrace of Romanità, we uncover how the city’s rich symbolism was manipulated to serve competing ideologies. Discover how Rome’s ancient legacy was reframed as a symbol of national strength and modern ambition, shaping its transformation into the stage for Italy’s new political identity.