From the 1960s to the 1980s, the Italian film industry was booming. Dramas, comedies, no matter the genre, there were so many films coming out of Rome that it was jokingly referred to as Hollywood on the Tiber. Films often mirrored the key issues of the day including changing mores, social unrest or political terrorism.  

Now half a century later, film buffs are in for a treat as Seattle welcomes Viva Italia! The Passion of Italian Cinema. Running for nine weeks from February 28 through April 24, all but one of the featured films were made in the 1960s and 1970s.