This documentary intercuts interviews with directors, producers, actors, and designers working in Italian cinema with clips from Cabiria (1914) and Assunta Spina (1915) to Non ci resta che piangere (1984) and Enrico IV (1984). It measures the contributions of Italian cinema to neo-realism, to music and costume design, to cinematography, and to the adaptation of novels to film. Praise for Visconti is lavish, and the important role of Cinecittà in giving a home to Italian artistry is celebrated. Fellini and Wertmüller tell Oscar stories. It concludes with a salute to the Venice film festival.