The exhibition
Over sixty years of history, iconic films and unforgettable passions come together in the historic Salette di Pio IV inside Castel Sant’Angelo, hosting the exhibition Rome and the invention of cinema. From its origins to auteur cinema, 1905-1960. This unique Rome cinema exhibition explores the extraordinary relationship between the city of Rome and the seventh art, offering cinema lovers and cultural enthusiasts an in-depth look at the history of Italian cinema and Rome’s central role in shaping international film production.
Since the historic 1905 screening of La presa di Roma, shown in front of Porta Pia on the anniversary of the event, Rome has established itself as a key figure in cinematic history. The Eternal City is not just a filming location but a true protagonist, able to tell its story and transform through the language of cinema, becoming a timeless symbol of art, culture, and visual storytelling. Monumental, vibrant, contemporary, yet eternal, Rome continues to inspire directors and artists, cementing its iconic status in the global cinematic landscape.
Curated by Gian Luca Farinelli, the exhibition features rare and previously unseen materials, historical photographs and movie fragments that trace pivotal moments in Italian film history: from the silent film stars to the legendary productions of Cinecittà, from cinema under Fascism to Neorealism, from the commedia all’italiana to Hollywood on the Tiber during the Dolce Vita era, culminating in the dreamlike, visionary world of Federico Fellini.
Produced by Pantheon and Castel Sant’Angelo – Direzione Musei Nazionali della Città di Roma, under the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with Cineteca di Bologna, Rome Film Festival, Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia Foundation and the Archivio Luce Cinecittà, this exhibition is an unmissable journey for anyone wanting to explore how Rome and cinema have influenced each other, celebrating the history and magic of the seventh art.
Do not miss the exhibition dedicated to cinema in Roma. Discover the rooms dedicated to ‘60ies cinema’s icons and stay at 47 Boutique Hotel.
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