Poet of Civic Courage

Book excerpt: Rosi's films consistently and directly address the themes of political and institutional corruption and the complex relationship between the individual, the mafia, and the state. Whether evoking the multiple facets of Sicilian banditry in Salvatore Giuliano (1962), exposing right-wing killing squads in Cadaveri eccellenti (Illustrious Corpses) (1976), or courageously debating the roots of Italian terrorism in ^ITre fratelli (Three Brothers)^R (1981), his gripping political-documentary works have managed to combine factual and intellectual rigor with box office success and wide critical acclaim. This book offers a series of essays by leading Italian academics, each exploring a key Rosi film, together with an interview and comprehensive bibliographic and filmographic material. A notable feature is an article by the director himself, in which he reflects on the development and future of Italian political cinema. This book offers a series of essays by leading Italian academics, each exploring a key Rosi film, together with an interview and comprehensive bibliographic and filmographic material. A notable feature is an article by the director himself, in which he reflects on the development and future of Italian political cinema.