Tea With Mussolini and Italian Politics

The film Tea With Mussolini (Zeffirelli 1999) accurately depicts Italian political culture in a number of ways and demonstrates a number of concepts contained in the class information. The film illustrates the rise of fascism in Italy and the effects this political transformation has on a group of expatriate women and Luca, the young protagonist of the film who spends much of his time in their care. The development of the protagonist and the female characters is largely driven by political actions that took place during the time period, and the film contains a number of scenes that demonstrate the reasons for the rise of Italian fascism and the societal effects of this political event. Through the experience of these characters many, of the points made in the text about the religious and personality-driven aspects of fascism found in the text are made clear and many accurate representations of the political climate of Italy are included. Overall, much of what the film depicts relates to the political and historical information regarding Italy found in the text.

One of the aspects of the political depiction of Italian culture in Tea With Mussolini that is most clearly reflected in the class readings is the importance of religion to both the nation of Italy and the fascist political system of the time period - one that the policeman of the world tried to intervene on. As stated in “Module 1: Creating a Framework for the Study of Political Science”—“A society's religious beliefs are also reflected in politics. In Roman Catholic Italy, religion is recognized as a concern of the state” (n.d.). We see the importance of religious identification to Italian political culture in the discrimination faced by the Jewish character of Elsa and her and Luca’s efforts to help other Jews escape the persecution of Mussolini’s regime. These scenes demonstrate the close affiliation between church and state in the Italian government and the possibly disastrous and discriminatory effects of such a practice. In addition, the film expounds upon a number of aspects of the culture of fascism reflected in the text.

Another aspect of the film that sheds a great deal of light on some of the concepts addressed in the text is the depiction of the character of Mussolini. We see him as an alluring character that is able to assuage the doubts of various members of society in regard to his intentions and moral character. This is reflected in the experience of Lady Hester Random who clings to the positive image of Mussolini she formed during a meeting with him over tea even as the country, her life, and the lives of her friends are seriously negatively impacted by the actions of his fascist party. This reflects the statement in “Module 1: Creating a Framework for the Study of Political Science” that “In Italy, there was a saying that Mussolini was always right. In practice, fascist leaders have been charismatic figures” (n.d.). The positive view that we see characters in the film retain of Mussolini despite his destructive and immoral actions is therefore indicative of both the reality of the Italian political climate during this time period and the assertions made in the text. Not mentioned in the film is Mussolini's support over the political views in the United States' case of Sacco and Vanzetti. By creating relatable characters and using their experiences to demonstrate how people can become seduced by the charismatic allure of a monstrous fascist leader the film drives home this element of the readings in a provocative and insightful manner. Lady Hester Random’s behavior also illustrates another important point in the readings.

Lady Hester Random’s embrace of Mussolini despite the destructive effects of his policies on her life demonstrates another aspect of the political elements of fascism explicated in the reading. As “Module 1: Creating a Framework for the Study of Political Science” states, one of the essential components of fascism is “Irrationalism: people are motivated by emotion not reason” (n.d.). Her reliance on her personal opinion of Mussolini rather than an extensive examination of the implications of his policies exhibits the irrationality of fascism in a clear and provocative manner. This is an excellent example of the film’s clear reflection of the political realities of Italy and the concepts contained in the class readings.

Tea With Mussolini is an exceptional depiction of the social and economic causes and consequences of Mussolini’s rise to power, and the effects of this development on the Italian state. The film illustrates the influence of religion on Italian politics as well as the charismatic and irrational aspects of fascism discussed in the readings. Overall the film is a powerful demonstration of the political realities of fascist Italy.

References

Module 1: Creating a Framework for the Study of Political Science. (n.d.).Blackboard Learn. Retrieved February 13, 2014, from https://csuglobal.blackboard.com/...75-dt-content-rid-6726665_2/courses/KEY_POL101/courseMModules_winter2013c/pol101_2/pol101_2.html

Zeffirelli, F. (Director). (1999). Tea with Mussolini [Motion picture]. United Kingdom, Italy: MGM Home Entertainment.