Intelligence Squared Olivia Laing on Passion and Heartbreak in the Golden Age of New Italian Cinema
Nov 7, 2025
Olivia Laing, an acclaimed writer known for her insightful reflections on art and society, discusses her latest novel, The Silver Book. She explores the intertwining of love and power within the context of Italian cinema, focusing on the provocative works of Federico Fellini and Pier Paolo Pasolini. Laing dissects the political significance of Pasolini's Salò and the impact of 1970s Italy on filmmaking. She reflects on how AI threatens traditional craft, the moral complexities of her characters, and how her writing process has enhanced her film appreciation.
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Handmade Cinema As Political Counterpoint
- Olivia Laing chose 1970s Italian cinema because it showcases handmade, collaborative creativity set against political upheaval.
- She contrasts that tactile era with today's AI-driven, machine-centered creativity to highlight what might be lost.
Salò As A Fable Of Fascism
- Pasolini's Salò transposes de Sade to late-WWII Italy to interrogate fascism and complicity.
- The film's grotesque violence serves a moral intent: to demand resistance against authoritarianism.
Researching Cinecittà's Backstage Life
- Olivia Laing watched documentaries filmed at Cinecittà to observe the unseen craftspeople on set.
- She studied extras, wardrobe carriers, and makeup artists to reconstitute the closed studio universe for her novel.
