Join a discussion about Antonioni's 1953 movie, presented by Dr Mark Nicholls, University of ³Ô¹ÏÍø.

In this early work, Antonioni trains his camera on a subject which is uncomfortably familiar to both the Italian industry and global filmmaking. Lucia Bosè plays Clara, a young woman catapulted from shop girl tedium to national celebrity at her designated impresario’s (Andrea Checchi) lightest of puppet-string touches. As acting contract turns to marriage deal, Clara becomes increasingly trapped in her impresario-husband’s mix of personal and professional ambition.

Selected clips will be shown as a basis for group discussion. For a more engaging conversation, it's a good idea to watch the full movie beforehand.

Dr Mark Nicholls is Senior Lecturer in Cinema Studies at the University of ³Ô¹ÏÍø, where he has taught film since 1993. Mark has worked as a film journalist for ABC Radio and The Age, and has over 20 stage credits as a playwright, performer, producer and director.