ROCKLAND — This July, the Strand Theatre will host a two-part film and conversation series, "Postcards from Italy," featuring live, in-theater conversation with two authorities on film and culture: New York Times critic A.O. Scott and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) host Alicia Malone. 

Roman Holiday (1953) will be shown Sunday, July 12, at 5 p.m. 

Bellissima (1951) will be shown Sunday, July 19, at 5 p.m.

"This series offers a glimpse into a fascinating place and time in cinema history: 1950s Rome. Following World War II, Hollywood directors flocked to Italy’s famed Cinecittà studios, producing glamorous, escapist hits that helped revitalize the Italian economy," said the Strand, in a news release. "Simultaneously, Italian neorealist directors used those same studio spaces to capture the gritty, unfiltered realities of working-class Italian life."

Scott and Malone will guide the audience through this unique era, examining how these two contrasting cinematic styles lived in close proximity, influenced one another, and together told the full story of a changing nation. 

"Postwar Italy is one of cinema's most fascinating chapters, with neorealist filmmakers turning their lenses on the struggle to rebuild, and Hollywood flocking to the country," said film expert and Strand Theatre board member Alicia Malone. "Audiences craved both realism and escapism, and our two films capture both sides of that coin. Roman Holiday is a sun-drenched fairytale romance shot on the cobblestones of Rome that launched Audrey Hepburn into stardom, while Bellissima, anchored by the powerhouse Anna Magnani, turns a sharp, affectionate eye on the Italian film industry. Together, they offer a portrait of postwar Italy seen through the eyes of two unforgettable women."

Screening Schedule & Featured Films (descriptions provided by Strand Theatre):

Sunday, July 12, at 5 p.m.: Roman Holiday (1953) Directed by William Wyler and starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, this beloved classic created the ultimate glamorous fantasy of la vita bella in Rome, cementing the city's postwar romantic appeal. Featuring A.O. Scott and Alicia Alone in a live introduction and conversation. 

Sunday, July 19, at 5 p.m.: Bellissima (1951) Directed by Luchino Visconti and starring Anna Magnani, this Italian neorealist masterpiece serves as a brilliant, sharp satire of the very movie-star illusions Hollywood brought to Rome. Featuring a pre-recorded introduction by A.O. Scott and Alicia Malone. 

About the Speakers: 

A.O. Scott spent over 23 years as a movie critic at The New York Times, reviewing nearly 3,000 films. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of Better Living Through Criticism, he currently serves as critic at large for the New York Times Book Review and resides in Midcoast Maine. 

Alicia Malone is a celebrated author, film expert, and host on Turner Classic Movies (TCM), including TCM Imports. She has written four books on cinema history, serves on the board of directors for the Strand Theatre, and will debut her first cozy mystery novel, Murder at the Movies, this October. 

Both screenings will take place at the Strand Theatre, located at 345 Main Street, Rockland.

Ticket Prices: $12/Adult, $9/ Seniors /Students with ID, $8/Strand Members. Tickets are available online at RocklandStrand.com, by calling the box office at (207) 594-0070, or at the walk-up box office one hour prior to showtime.

"Due to high anticipated demand, advance ticket purchases are recommended," said the Strand.