What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMediterraneo
Gabriele Salvatores · Film · 1991
If you loved Mediterraneo, start with Catch-22 (Luke Davies, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Mediterraneo across media.
What hooked you in Mediterraneo was the way the absurdity of war forces soldiers to find unexpected humanity in isolation.
Books on the same thread
Catch-22
Joseph Heller · Book · 1961
Explores: Bureaucratic absurdity, Existential dread, The insanity of war.
Like the soldiers in Mediterraneo, Yossarian navigates the inherent insanity of military life, where bureaucratic traps and existential dread define the experience of war more than actual combat does.
History
Elsa Morante · Book · 2015
Explores: the plight of the subaltern, history from below, the dehumanizing effects of war.
If you appreciated the focus on the human impact of conflict in Mediterraneo, this epic provides a deeper, more somber look at how war disrupts the lives of ordinary people.
The English Patient
Michael Ondaatje · Book · 2011
Explores: Post-traumatic stress, Identity, Love and loss.
This story mirrors the atmosphere of Mediterraneo by placing damaged individuals in an abandoned Italian villa, exploring how the aftermath of war forces them to confront their own identities.
Captain Corelli's Mandolin (Vintage Summer)
Louis de Bernières · Book · 2015
Explores: World War II, Occupation, Cultural Clash.
This novel perfectly captures the cultural clash and romantic isolation found in Mediterraneo, as an Italian officer discovers a new life among the locals on a remote Greek island.
Series on the same thread
Band of Brothers
Series · 2001
Explores: brotherhood, war trauma, leadership.
While more grounded in history than Mediterraneo, you will recognize the same essential theme of brotherhood and mutual reliance that develops among men left to survive the war together.
Catch-22
Luke Davies · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Mediterraneo: War Comedy.
This adaptation captures the same satirical spirit as Mediterraneo, focusing on a soldier trapped by the incompetence and absurdity of military command while stationed in the Italian theater.
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Joel Hodgson · Series · 1989
Explores: Friendship, Coping with Boredom, Satire.
Just as the soldiers in Mediterraneo find ways to cope with their isolation, this show highlights the humor and camaraderie required to survive a bizarre and lonely predicament.
'Allo 'Allo!
David Croft · Series · 1984
Explores: World War II, French Resistance, Mistaken Identity.
If the farcical side of Mediterraneo appealed to you, you will enjoy this series, which uses similar comedic tropes to portray the chaos and confusion of life under occupation.
Podcasts on the same thread
Illumina Show
Podcast
Explores: Humor, Satire, Italian Culture.
If Mediterraneo hit, Illumina Show shares the thread.
La Riserva
Podcast
Explores: Italian soccer, European soccer, Soccer analysis.
If Mediterraneo hit, La Riserva shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Mediterraneo set during World War II?
Yes, Mediterraneo is set during World War II. The plot follows a group of Italian soldiers tasked with monitoring a small Greek island for enemy activity after their ship is destroyed.
What happens to the soldiers in Mediterraneo after their ship is destroyed?
After their ship is destroyed by the enemy in Mediterraneo, the soldiers find themselves abandoned on the small Greek island. They are left without a way to leave while they continue their original mission of holding the island.
Does Mediterraneo take place on a Greek island?
Yes, the events of Mediterraneo take place on a small Greek island. The Italian soldiers are stationed there to spot enemy ships, but they discover the village appears to be abandoned upon their arrival.
What is the primary mission of the soldiers in Mediterraneo?
The primary mission of the soldiers in Mediterraneo is to spot enemy ships and hold the small Greek island in the event of an attack. They remain on the island after their transport ship is destroyed.