Representing Italian Food, Table, and Family

In international visual culture, growing or acquiring typical food products, preparing, and consuming great meals around a convivial family table constitutes a central representation of Italian identity. However, since the dopoguerra, in Italian cinema scenes or full films employing this stereotype often instead generate cultural and political critique that explore social change, upheaval or dysfunction, in order to question monolithic definitions of “the” Italian family, and Italian identity itself. Referring to historical context and visual culture studied in previous courses, we will consider films from 2000 to today in this key. Potential focal directors: Crialese, DeMatteo, Ozpetek, Rorhwacher, Rosi, Segre, Virzì. (ITAL 0355 or equivalent) 3 hrs. sem.