What genre is the film?
GE-ne-re — stress on first syllable. Three syllables. The 'g' before 'e' is soft /dʒ/ like in 'gentle'.
Ask when choosing between films or when someone mentions a title you don't know. Helps you decide whether a film suits your tastes. Common in any film-related conversation.
Italian film genres: 'commedia' (comedy), 'thriller', 'horror', 'dramma' (drama), 'documentario' (documentary), 'animazione' (animation), 'fantascienza' (sci-fi), 'azione' (action), 'romantico' (romantic), 'storico' (historical). Many genres are direct borrowings from English.
È una commedia o un dramma?
Is it a comedy or a drama?
Offers two choices — useful when you have a rough idea of the genre.
È un film d'azione?
Is it an action film?
Direct yes/no question about a specific genre.
È un documentario?
Is it a documentary?
Important distinction — some Italian cinemas specialise in documentaries.
Italy's 'commedia all'italiana' is a beloved genre from the 1950s–70s featuring sharp social satire. Modern Italian filmmakers like Ficarra e Picone continue this tradition with huge domestic success.