Books by Roberto Curti

Elio Petri (1929-1982) was one of the most commercially successful and critically revered Italian directors. This book examines Petri's life and career, and places his work within the social and political context of postwar Italian culture, politics, and cinema.

Since their heyday, comics (or fumetti as they are called in Italy) had a vital part in Italy's culture and morality, even helping break boundaries. That was the case with the so-called "fumetti neri," such as DIABOLIK, KRIMINAL, SATANIK, and many others that created a sensation in the early-to-mid-1960s. Similarly, in the late 1960s the adults-only comics paved the way for a more explicit depiction of eroticism. The 1980s saw the commercial exploitation of underground comics as well as popular genre titles such as DYLAN DOG. DIABOLIKA lists the Italian films and TV series based on (or inspired by) comics, graphic novels and photonovels, as well as movies not directly adapted from comic books sport a distinct comics feel in style, characters and plot. Included are the 1960s adaptations of the lurid "fumetti neri" such as DANGER: DIABOLIK, the two KRIMINAL movies, AVENGER X and SATANIK. And we couldn't forget the comic-inspired superheroes SUPERARGO, FLASHMAN, THE THREE FANTASTIC SUPERMEN as well as films based on erotic and adults-only comics including MS. STILETTO. DIABOLIKA also provides listings for adaptations of popular comic characters such as VALENTINA, TEX and DYLAN DOG and many, many more. Also included is an essay on Turkish films inspired by Italian comics written by Turkish film scholar Kaya Özkaracalar. The book is lavishly illustrated in color with many rare set stills, lobby cards, poster art and comic book panels.

Tonino Valerii is one of Italy's best genre film directors. Starting out as Sergio Leone's assistant on For a Few Dollars More (1965), he went on to direct spaghetti westerns that stand out among the most accomplished in their class--Day of Anger (1967), The Price of Power (1969), A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die! (1972) and My Name Is Nobody (1973). He also directed the outstanding giallo My Dear Killer (1972). This book examines Valerii's life and career in depth for the first time, with exclusive interviews with the filmmaker, scriptwriters and actors, and critical analysis of his films.

Examines the Italian Gothic films of the 1980s. The book includes previously unpublished trivia and production data taken from official archive papers, original scripts and interviews with filmmakers, scriptwriters and actors. Entries include a complete cast and crew list, plot summary, production history and analysis.

A self-taught culinary genius, Francesco Bracali is one of Italy's top chefs. He and his brother Luca, a sommelier, own the two-Michelin-starred restaurant ""Bracali"" in Massa Marittima, Tuscany. The book tells the story of the Bracali brothers, from the early days where their revolutionary approach to cuisine was a novelty, to today's International recognition.

Besides the great and renowned auteurs, the history of Italian cinema also includes a number of peculiar, lesser-known but very interesting filmmakers. This book examines eight Italian ""mavericks"" who were active from the late 1940s onwards: Pier Carpi, Alberto Cavallone, Riccardo Ghione, Giulio Questi, Brunello Rondi, Paolo Spinola, Augusto Tretti, and Nello Vegezzi.

Italian Gothic horror films of the 1970s were influenced by the violent giallo movies and adults-only comics of the era, resulting in a graphic approach to the genre. This book examines the Italian Gothic horror of the period, providing previously unpublished details and production data taken from official papers, original scripts and interviews with filmmakers, scriptwriters and actors.