Rome Today - Rome - page 658

Rome Today
As Italy's political hub, Rome has been at the centre of the country's recent political
and economic upheavals. A nationwide austerity drive led by technocrat PM Mario
Monti caused tensions on the city's streets and protest voting in the ballot box, while
spending cuts have given rise to a new trend for cultural sponsorship. Over the river
in the Vatican, scandal and in-fighting culminated in the first papal resignation in 600
years.
Best on Film
Roma Città Aperta (Rome Open City; 1945) A neo-realist study of desperation in Nazi-occupied Rome.
Dear Diary (1994) Cult director Nanni Moretti scoots around a semi-deserted Rome.
The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) Murderous intrigue on Piazza di Spagna and in other Italian locations.
To Rome with Love (2012) Woody Allen's saccharine homage to the Eternal City.
Roman Holiday (1953) Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, a Vespa and dolce vita romance.
Best in Print
The Secrets of Rome: Love & Death in the Eternal City (Corrado Augias; 2007) Journalist Augias muses on
little-known historical episodes.
Rome (Robert Hughes; 2012) A personal portrait of the city by straight-talking Australian art critic.
Imperium (Robert Harris; 2006) Fictional biography of Cicero by bestselling Brit author.
Michelangelo & the Pope's Ceiling (Ross King; 2003) Fascinating account of the painting of the Sistine Chapel.
Roman Tales (Alberto Moravia; 1954) Short stories set in Rome's poorest neighbourhoods.
Election Fever & Punk Politics
In 2013 election fever broke out across the city. Within the space of a few months Romans
were called to vote for a new president, a new regional governor and a new mayor.
Predictably, the outcome of the general election was dramatic, if not decisive. The result
was a political deadlock which dragged on for two months until Enrico Letta, a moderate
from the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD; Democratic Party), was able to cobble to-
gether a cross-party coalition government. More than the result, though, the big story from
the elections was the emergence of Beppe Grillo, a charismatic former comedian, as a