The first words I learned in Italian were gamba di legno, or wooden leg, for which Benito Mussolini and Walt Disney are to blame: After the war, my mother, who was fluent in Italian, had been involved ...

[EDITOR’S NOTE: “Italian for Beginners” had its world premiere at the 2001 Berlin Film Festival. Following are excerpts from G. Allen Johnson’s review, first published by indieWIRE on Feb. 13, 2001.

The Indo Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will conduct an Italian language course for beginners from November 16. Students who are interested in attending college in Italy, employees of Indian ...