JOURNAL ARTICLE

ESP, Extra : Liminal investigations between chronicle, conspiracy theories, paranormal and new cults.

  • Published In: Journal of Italian Cinema & Media Studies, 2026, v. 14, n. 3/4. P. 359 1 of 3

  • Database: Film & Television Literature Index with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: D'Amore, Aurelio 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines the emergence of the fantastic giallo genre in 1970s Italian television drama, focusing on two sceneggiati—ESP and Extra—directed by Daniele D'Anza. These productions diverge from traditional fictional crime narratives by basing their stories on real events involving paranormal phenomena and conspiracy theories, such as psychic investigations and alleged alien abductions. By blending empirical inquiry with occult themes, they challenge the rationalist paradigm of early Italian TV and prefigure later international television trends that explore the paranormal and government conspiracies. The article situates these works as pivotal experiments that both reflect 1970s counterculture and anticipate the evolution of television storytelling toward more complex, reality-based narratives.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Italian Cinema & Media Studies. 2026/07, Vol. 14, Issue 3/4, p359
  • Document Type:Film/TV Criticism and Review
  • Subject Area:Psychology
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:2047-7368
  • DOI:10.1386/jicms_00343_1
  • Accession Number:192840651
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Italian Cinema & Media Studies is the property of Intellect Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.