Tag - rome

 
 

ROME

Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 20, 2014
The Great Beauty
'The Great Beauty" recalls two other films set in Rome: "La Dolce Vita" and "Roman Holiday." The former takes huge bites out of the city's decadence and debauchery in much the same way as "The Great Beauty." The latter takes a mere lick at the pleasures proffered by Rome and declares satisfaction. The common thread here is that Rome is magical, addictive and life-altering. Had Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) stuck around for a few more days, the city would perhaps have robbed her of the will to go back.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 20, 2014
Sacro GRA
"Sacro GRA" takes the all-roads-lead-to-Rome adage one step further by telling us that one of those roads is actually sacred — the 65-odd-km GRA (Grande Raccordo Anulare). It's Italy's most expensive highway, circling Rome in one big loop. Documentarian Gianfranco Rosi took his camera to the GRA (seen by many as too costly, congested and depressing) to dig up the lives and stories lurking around it. I have a sneaking suspicion that Tokyoites will sigh with envy; the GRA wins over Tokyo's Kanpachi-dori, hands down.

Longform

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.
Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree