Stramilano (film)

Stramilano is a 1929 short film directed by Corrado D'Errico and produced by the company of the Za Bum music hall by Mario Mattoli and Luciano Ramo for Istituto Luce, a fascist government created organisation. The film marked Italy's first contribution to the city symphonies cycle and was the earliest example of such a film to emerge from a fascist nation.

Overview
Stramilano, which can be translated to super Milan, is composed of two parts and depicts the city of Milan: factories, transportation (trains, cars, and carriages), people working, living, and socialising in the city. The film was produced and distributed during the time of Italy’s fascist regime (1922-1943). The regime had the goal of making educational film that illustrated the link between film and politics. However, the organisation was more concerned with newsreels and less about commercial films.

About the filmmaker
Stramilano was directed by Corrando D’Errico who came into the public eye at the end of the 1920s as a creator of experimental plays and city symphonies that employ a futurist and fascist mentality. Throughout his career, D'Errico directed 11 feature-length films across the adventure, comedy, and neorealist drama genres. His work is a testament to the intersectionality of propaganda, spectacle, and entertainment. Beyond his work as a filmmaker, D’Errico was a journalist for a fascist newspaper and was well connected with many of the party's high profile officials. His party connections allowed him take a role within the State secretary of Press and Propaganda as a member of Mussolini’s press office.