¡Que viva Italia!

I saw "Viva Italia" not long after its release, and still remember it. It felt, then, as a revival of the wonderful short-story format used by the French and the Italians to provide concentrated value at smaller expense than a full feature, thus raising the chances of the film being made. They were wonderful showcases, too, for the immense talent resident in those countries. Ugo Tognazzi's brilliant performance as impulsive chef of a small restaurant will stick in my memory forever; the whole movie is well worth watching if it were only for this particular episode. Pity it was not a revival, but a farewell to a fantastic era of wit, skill, hearty performance, and sophisticated direction.

This film was shown on Los Angeles first cable station, the Z Channel, as part of their Foreign Films Specials, in the late 70's. It is a series of short stories, each one very funny, and said, in the production notes, to show a little bit of Italy and its people.

One story is about an Italian gentleman, who provides a Good Samaritan service to an injured civilian; but is unable to deposit the man anywhere, as hospitals, convents, and emergency clinics refuse to accept the barely alive victim. Unable to relieve himself of this unwanted, injured man, he returns to the scene of the crash, and replaces the victim as he found him, hours before.

Another story is a "behind the scenes" look at an Italian restaurant, where two waiters / chefs stage a horrendous fight, while preparing a large meal for a hungry group of customers.

I have looked for this film to play again, either here in Los Angeles, in an art house revival or on cable television, but to no avail.

20 years after the monumental "I mostri" which was a great example of Italian sketch comedy, 3 of the greatest Italian directors ever (Risi, Monicelli, Scola) the best Italian writers ever (Age, Scarpelli) the best Italian actors ever (Tognazzi, Gassmann, Sordi) one of the most beautiful woman in the world (Ornella Muti) participate to this great tribute. The last sketch (a funeral) is symbolic : the death of the Italian comedy, which made Italy the second country in the world for cinematographic productions during 50's and 60's. Roberto Benigni's "Life is beautiful" was a great attempt, but the Italian comedy (and Italian cinema) is still in the grave.

In many ways,'I Nuovi Mostri' is an extension of Dino Risi's film "I Mostri".However,its episodes were shot in color whereas the original "Monsters" film was shot in black and white.Most episodes of this film are about human nature especially shortcomings of people which reveal a negative facet of their lives.There are also episodes where the spotlight is on revealing the hypocrisy present in modern society due to strange rules and regulations.For example : an episode features an injured man who cannot be admitted to any hospital as there is no more room in a general hospital,no medical service after 23:00 in an hospital run by nuns and only military personnel with proper identification papers can be given treatment in a military hospital.Italian film 'Viva Italia'! is also known as "I Nuovi Mostri".It is the tale of new Italian monsters who represent weaknesses present in an average Italian.These people have been called "monsters" as their personal interests are always on top of their minds.These are the people who do not hesitate a bit in order to ensure their happiness at the cost of their beloved ones.An excellent film for all those cinema admirers who wish to learn more about Italian way of living.

I NUOVI MOSTRI is a sketch movie composed by 14 short stories which have a common feature between them: they are all about real life circumstances where, somehow, the main characters assume a disruptive conduct turning themselves into real life monsters; as they put their own interests above everything else! It's more evident in episodes like "Senza Parole", "Come una Regina" or even "Auto Stop". In fact it's a sarcastic and black comedy - a pure "commedia all'italiana" - which is also a satire to the Italian society of that time! "First Aid" episode is hilarious portraying the Italian's health system difficulties of that time...

The cast is great, full of excellent actors of the 70's. The directors of these short stories were also just three of the most important Italian directors of all time: Ettore Scola, Dino Risi and Mário Monicelli!