The Aesthetics of Social Class in La Grande Bellezza

Abstract

[eng] This essay introduces Jacques Rancière's philosophical ideas and analyzes Paolo Sorrentino's La Grande Bellezza (2013). It explores the film’s cinematic aesthetics and the system of distances, linking Rancière’s concept of the sensible world with the film’s portrayal of the Italian upper class. The discussion addresses the dual structure of beauty and societal critique, the redistribution of roles and perceptions, and the relationship between aesthetics, ethics, and politics. Through Rancière's lens, the essay delves into the film's imagery, emphasizing the importance of critical art in transforming the spectator into an active participant in society.