Il Male

Il Male
Title	Il Male
Frequency	Weekly
Founded	1978
Finaldate	1982
Country	Italy
Language	Italian

Il Male was an Italian satirical weekly magazine published between 1978 and 1982 that became notable for provocative covers, political caricature, and parody. It intersected with Italian cultural and political currents involving Italian Communist Party, Christian Democracy (Italy), Red Brigades, Bruno Vespa, Giovanni Goria, and public debates around Years of Lead. The magazine engaged with contemporary events such as the 1978 kidnapping of Aldo Moro, the 1980 Bologna massacre, and the broader politics of Italy in the 1970s and Italy in the 1980s.

History

Il Male was launched in 1978 amid tensions between factions including supporters of Lotta Continua, sympathizers of Potere Operaio, and critics from the Italian Socialist Party. Early issues responded to incidents like the Aldo Moro kidnapping and controversies around figures such as Francesco Cossiga and Sandro Pertini. The editorial team drew on networks around Milan, Rome, and alternative press scenes linked to Il Manifesto and Lotta Continua (newspaper). Its publication span covered crises including the Years of Lead, the Tangentopoli precursor debates, and the rise of media personalities such as Silvio Berlusconi.

Editorial Line and Style

The magazine adopted a confrontational satirical stance that lampooned politicians, institutions, and public figures including Giulio Andreotti, Bettino Craxi, Margherita Hack, Italo Calvino, and Maurizio Costanzo. Its style combined visual parody, photomontage influenced by Dada, and textual pastiche echoing practices in Surrealism and the work of cartoonists associated with L’Unità and Il Giornalino. Il Male frequently referenced events like the 1978 Italian general election and figures such as Enrico Berlinguer, Giorgio Almirante, Umberto Eco, and Sergio Zavoli through satirical covers and fake news items.

Notable Contributors and Cartoons

Contributors included cartoonists, illustrators, and writers who also appeared in publications such as Linus (magazine), Frigidaire, Il Manifesto, and L'Espresso. Prominent artists linked with the magazine had connections to personalities like Andrea Pazienza, Altan, Giovanni Guareschi, Dario Fo, and Sergio Staino. The magazine reprinted or spoofed imagery reminiscent of works by Andy Warhol, René Magritte, and photographers from agencies like Ansa and Afp. Cartoons targeted ministers, judges, and television hosts including Enzo Biagi, Mike Bongiorno, Rai, and figures from Mediaset.

Legal Controversies and Censorship

Il Male provoked legal actions and censures involving magistrates, politicians, and broadcasters such as Giulio Andreotti and RAI management. The magazine faced police seizures, trials, and disputes at courts in Rome and Milan related to depictions of public figures like Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyła, and allegations tied to events such as the Bologna massacre coverage. Litigation intersected with debates led by jurists and intellectuals including Gianfranco Miglio and journalists like Enzo Biagi, while parliamentary discussions in Palazzo Madama and Palazzo Montecitorio referenced press limits and satirical freedom.

Circulation and Reception

Il Male achieved a mix of popular attention and institutional hostility, drawing readers from cultural centers such as Milan, Rome, Turin, and Naples and generating commentary in outlets like La Repubblica, Corriere della Sera, Il Giornale, L'Espresso, and Panorama. Circulation figures fluctuated amid controversies with newsstand seizures and advertiser pullouts influenced by conglomerates tied to Fininvest and other media owners. Critical reception involved intellectuals and critics such as Umberto Eco, Giorgio Bassani, Federico Fellini, and scholars from Sapienza University of Rome and Università degli Studi di Milano debating satire, legality, and taste.

Legacy and Influence

The magazine left a mark on Italian satire, influencing later publications and programs like Striscia la Notizia, Le Iene, l'Espresso satire features, and the revival of graphic satire in magazines such as Frigidaire and Linus (magazine). Its provocations informed discussions in cultural institutions including the Biennale di Venezia, university courses at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and retrospectives at museums like MAXXI and Museo Nazionale del Cinema. Former contributors went on to careers in television, publishing, and politics, intersecting with figures like Beppe Grillo, Michele Serra, Dario Fo, and media enterprises such as Rai and Mediaset.

Category:Satirical magazines Category:Italian magazines 1978 establishments Category:Italian magazines 1982 disestablishments