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The list of my top favourite Italian films continues with two comedies which will have you in tears from the laughter whilst showing you best of Italy, enjoy!

Benventi al Sud (welcome to the south)

Benvenuti al Sud is one of my all-time favourite comedies to watch, if you haven’t seen this film I assure you it will make you laugh whilst helping you understand the existing divide between the north and south of Italy. Directed by Luca Miniero, the plot is incredibly similar to the French film Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis which accurately depicts the divide between the north and south of France in a comical light. This Italian version follows the same lines as Alberto Colombo,  the manger of Italy’s main postal service Poste Italiane, lives a luxurious life in Milan until, after hilariously trying to get a promotion through deceibt, he is transferred to Castellabate in Naples. Italians from the north of Italy stereotypically look down on the south as a corrupt, heavily traditional place and the film focuses on Alberto’s struggle to abandon his prejudices about Naples and explore the panoramic beauties and friendly citizens that eventually make him fall head over heels for the south. He slowly integrates into the southern life style, from the Neapolitan language to the hearty mozzarella, but when his wife comes to visit he pretends he hates the south. In order to convince her of this his new friends help him bring all the bad things northerners think of Naples to life: they stage a skit which shows Naples to be a dangerous place governed by organised crime. The comical flair of the film brings to life both the Neapolitan stereotypes such as grown men babied by their mothers and shows off the true beauty of Naples. If you want to learn about the inherent difference between the north and the south this is the film to watch!

Benventi al Nord (welcome to the north)

This is the sequel to Benvenuto al sud and, due to the commotion caused by the first film, it was also highly viewed by critics earning over 27million euros upon its release! In Benvenuti al Nord the focus shifts on the north and how it is seen by southerners. Alberto is back in Milan but his close friend Mattia, who played a prominent part in introducing Alberto to the wonders of Naples in the first film, is having issues with his wife who would like him to work more and grow up as they now have a child and are still living with his mother.  In a desperate act to prove to his wife Maria how serious he is Mattia moves to Milan, despite his mother and many others warning him of how cold and cynical northerners are. The film plays out like the first one: Mattia initially despises the north and sees why the southerners have so many prejudices but then he gradually loves what Milan, and the north in general, has to offer and finally starts to focus on his career. Like most comedies the film ends on a high with Mattia’s family and friends going up to Milan, not believing Mattia is actually doing well at work, and Mattia manages to win Maria back. Alberto still plays a big role in this film as he and his wife tackle turbulent issues within their marriage but are also able to work things out. Once again this film will have you laughing in hysterics as it shows that the prejudices southerners have of the north and northerners have of the south are quite stereotypical but they don’t shed light on the good things both north and south have to offer. By watching these two films you can see both the good and the bad of Italy discovering the beauty in the country as a whole.

IMAGE 1: http://www.experyentya.it/marketing-turistico-territoriale/product-placement-il-caso-benvenuti-al-sud/

IMAGE 2: http://www.linkerblog.biz/2012/01/13/voci-e-cinema-di-provincia/