Cinepanettone

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Cinepanettoni are light, funny Italian Christmas movies that usually come out every year around the holidays. They began in 1983 and were produced by Filmauro, the studio run by Aurelio De Laurentiis. The films focus on stereotypical Italian middle-class people who go on holiday to glamorous or exotic places.

Locations have included the Netherlands, Egypt, India, the United States, and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Directors have included Carlo Vanzina, Enrico Oldoini, and Neri Parenti. The stories usually star Massimo Boldi and Christian De Sica, often with a rotating group of comic actors and occasional international guests. The children of the main characters often end up solving the messes created by their fathers.

Critics have said these films lack ethical or educational value and use vulgar language, often showing bad examples for younger viewers. Some see the films as reflecting the era and political climate around Silvio Berlusconi. Despite the criticism, the films were financially successful, bringing in about 350 million dollars by 2002 (roughly 700 billion lire).