Roads to Rome takes listeners on a journey through the historical and cultural layers of Rome from the 17th century to the present. Each episode explores a different ‘road,’ focusing on themes like art, architecture, politics, and cinema. Discover how Rome’s transformation has been shaped by global influences and local tensions, from antiquarianism to neorealism, baroque splendor to modernist dreams. Whether you’re an enthusiast of history, film, or urban landscapes, this podcast brings Rome to life.
Italian neorealism wasn’t just a film movement—it was a blueprint for a radically different kind of cinema, one grounded in moral conviction rather than spectacle. In this episode, we explore how neorealism’s quiet revolution—its long takes, non-professional actors, and commitment to the everyday—became a framework adopted across the globe. From Bicycle Thieves to Down by Law, from Satyajit Ray’s Bengali villages to Jafar Panahi’s Tehran streets, we trace how filmmakers used neorealism’s human scale to confront social realities with emotional clarity. Drawing on theorists like Siegfried Kracauer and Raymond Williams, we unpack how neorealism prioritised lucidity over neurosis, solidarity over cynicism. This is world cinema not as exotic spectacle, but as ethical encounter.
9 Oct 2025
Rome’s Changing Light
In 19th-century Rome, artists sought to capture nature’s truth just as photography began to redefine it. This episode explores the tension between brush and lens, from the meticulous landscapes of Giovanni Battista Bassi to the bold experiments of painters working en plein air. Against the backdrop of a transforming city—its ruins, its light, its living history—we uncover how art shifted from recording reality to expressing perception. As photography rose, painting evolved, proving that truth in art lies not in imitation, but in how we learn to see.
6 Mar 2025
Postcard Rome
In this episode, we unpack Eat Pray Love and its picture-perfect vision of Rome. The film presents the Eternal City as a sun-drenched playground for self-discovery, but does it truly capture its essence? We explore how cinematic techniques create an alluring yet curated version of Rome, catering to a tourist gaze that glosses over the city’s complexities. From romanticized food culture to idealized encounters, we examine what is gained—and lost—when Rome becomes a backdrop for personal reinvention rather than a city with its own rich, living history.
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