The Mafias in Cinema

Course description: This course aims to explore the theme of mafias through Italian cinema, examining its evolution and various modes of representation over time. Starting with "In nome della legge" (1959) by Pietro Germi, one of the first films to directly address the mafia, we will analyze the roots of cinematic representation of organized crime. The course will continue with a focus on more recent works, such as "Ti mangio il cuore" or "Una femmina" (2022), to understand how contemporary cinema approaches the mafia with a completely different language and sensitivity, shifting attention to themes of corruption and revenge, often in a more intimate and violent context.

Learning Expectations: Students will acquire a thorough understanding of the different phases of cinematic representation of the mafias, from the legal and judicial perspective of the phenomenon in the postwar period. Students will be able to analyze the transition from a cinema of social denunciation to one that explores the individual and tragic dimension of mafia events, understanding the historical and cultural context that has influenced these works. They will also be able to compare and critique the different narratives, analyzing how cinema has contributed to shaping the public perception of the mafias, both in its social and cinematic dimensions.

FILM:

In nome della legge di Pietro Germi

Salvatore Giuliano di Francesco Rosi

Lucky Luciano di Francesco Rosi