Rome, Sweet Rome? The Eternal City through the Films of Fellini and Sorrentino

Overview

Through the lens of two most influential and iconic Italian films, Fellini’s La dolce vita (1960) and Sorrentino’s La grande bellezza (2013; Academy Award for Best Foreign Film), students will explore different perspectives into the eternal city. Rome will appear in all its beauty at two key moments in Italy’s social history: the “economic miracle” of the 1950s, and the “Berlusconi years” of the 1990s and early 2000s.   

This event will alternate morning lectures, led by Prof. Bonsaver, and afternoon workshops, led by Dr Magnabosco. Lectures will concentrate on the cinematic style used by both directors in order to represent contemporary society and the role of the artist in it, casting light on how Sorrentino attempted to re-address Fellini’s aesthetic and social concerns half a century later. During the workshops, students will be invited to look closely at a selection of scenes from both films, so to link themes presented in the lectures to dialogues and characters, while furthering language skills through focus on vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. 

Please note:

  • The event will be conducted in Italian and is aimed at students who have reached an Upper Intermediate level. 
  • This event will close to enrolments at 23:59 BST on 6 May 2026.

Programme details

9.45am    
Registration at Rewley House reception

10am     
‘Roma e l’Italia del “boom economico” nel cinema di Fellini.’ 
Prof Guido Bonsaver

11.15am    
Tea and coffee break

11.45am  
‘La dolce vita romana nel 21esimo secolo: La grande bellezza di Sorrentino.
 Prof. Guido Bonsaver 

1pm 
Lunch break

2pm     
Workshop 1: Dialoghi. 
Dr Francesca Magnabosco 

3.15pm
Tea and coffee break

3.45pm                 
Worskhop 2: Paesaggi. 
Dr Francesca Magnabosco 

5pm   
End of day  

Fees

Description Costs
Event Fee (includes tea/coffee) £125.00
Baguette Lunch £7.50
Hot lunch £21.25

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit or are a full-time student in the UK you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees.

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutors

Professor Guido Bonsaver

Tutor

Professor Bonsaver is a Professor of Italian Cultural History at the University of Oxford. He is the author of several books in English and Italian including Mussolini censore: Storie di letteratura, dissenso e ipocrisie (Roma-Bari: Laterza, 2013).

Dr Francesca Magnabosco

Dr Francesca Magnabosco graduated from the University of Turin, Italy (BA; MPhil) and obtained her DPhil in Italian literature from the University of Oxford. For the University of Oxford, she works as a lecturer in Italian Renaissance literature (Pembroke College) and in Italian language (sub-Faculty of Italian); she is tutor in Italian at the Oxford University Department for Continuing Education. She is also a writer and translator.

Application

Please use the 'Book' button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us to obtain an application form.

Selection criteria

The event will be conducted in Italian and is aimed at students who have reached an Upper Intermediate level. 

Accommodation

If you wish to stay with us before and/or after the event, please contact our Residential Centre for availability and discounted rates.

Call +44 (0) 1865 270362 or email res-ctr@conted.ox.ac.uk

Our accommodation in Wellington Square has been rated as 4-Star Campus Accommodation under Visit England. All bedrooms are modern, comfortably furnished with tea/coffee making facilities, Freeview television, private bath/shower rooms and free WiFi. For more details see our accommodation information.