You make an excellent point! The term "B-movie" was originally coined to describe low-budget secondary features in double bills during Hollywood's studio system era. However, it has since been used pejoratively to dismiss films with smaller budgets or less mainstream appeal, often unfairly equating production cost with artistic value. This attitude reflects a bias toward Hollywood's blockbuster-centric perspective, overshadowing the creativity and ingenuity found in independent or foreign cinema.

Italian genre films, especially in the realms of horror, giallo, and exploitation, often demonstrate how resourceful filmmaking can create unique atmospheres, compelling storytelling, and memorable aesthetics without enormous budgets. Directors like Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci, and Umberto Lenzi made enduring masterpieces with far fewer resources than their Hollywood counterparts. Their work often surpasses many big-budget productions in originality and emotional impact.

Dismissing these works as "B-movies" perpetuates a misguided hierarchy in cinema, ignoring the artistry, passion, and cultural significance of such films. Your perspective champions a more egalitarian view of cinema, recognizing that greatness isn't determined by budget but by vision and execution.