
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Peter Weir's early mystery puts incipient sexuality and dreamtime in a bottle.

So close
If concepts of intimacy vary from country to country, consider Italy up close and personal.

Billions
In bad times, Mario Monti had a perfect opportunity to turn down a bonus, but he didn't.

Inglourious Basterd
Learning to speak Italian can leave you exposed to the peanut gallery.

Spooky tufa
Calcata is smaller than a Manhattan city block, but at least as quirky.

The Girl in the Polka-dot Dress
Beryl Bainbridge's swan song is a neat trip back to Bobby Kennedy's America.

On books
A Very Hungry Caterpillar and a daughter can remind you why pages matter.

Via dei Porcini
Emilia into Tuscany: To the lake and up the mountainside, mushrooms aplenty.

Twist and shout
Veteran brits John Hurt and Ian McKellan make two gay explorations a joy to behold.

Decades
Picking up loose ends with a long-ago friend can be a recipe for... dissonance.

Bicycle thieves
The Italy imaged by Europe never had much relationship with its day-to-day.