Module Content and Indicative Topics

Genres have always been important commercially to Italian cinema, and their codes and conventions, drawing on previous cultural traditions such as the commedia dell’arte, epic, melodrama and opera, were established in the pre-sound era. Many genres have not simply reflected Italian society but also played a key role in shaping the nation’s identity and aspirations and depicting the country’s capacities (or lack thereof) of adaptation to change and to social integration. 

In this module, you will learn about the birth and evolution of two different cinematographic genres in Italian cinema. You will analyse a selection of key works and compare and contrast the way in which different directors developed their unique features and which generic elements have a local or an international appeal. Furthermore, you will explore their historical and social context and examine the relationship between cinema, social issues and historical conditions that formed the background and shaped the development of popular genres in Italy. 

The module will cover the following topics, which may be subject to variation depending on developments in academic research and the interests of the class: key concepts in genre theory, genres in Italian film, history of Italian cinema, analysis of a selection of films from two different genres. 

Teaching Delivery

The modules will be taught with a combination of lectures, seminars and screenings. The lectures will introduce the broad parameters of the topics, whilst seminars will focus on discussion and film analysis.

By the end of the module, you should:


	Be able to demonstrate a critical awareness of the aesthetic and thematic choices of directors in a range of Italian films;
	
	
	Become aware of a set of social, cultural and political issues which have triggered or are connected with key developments and tendencies in Italian cinema;
	
	
	Be able to demonstrate originality and analytical skills to create and interpret knowledge in this field, through critical writings, presentations, and sequence analysis on films watched.
	
	
	Have developed advanced critical approach to the material presented and be able to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (films).
	
Recommended Reading

Readings will be made available online and introduce you to the most important scholarly contributions to the topics. We will also make use of high-quality online resources. A comprehensive reading list for your classes and your essays will be posted on Moodle but, in preparation for the module, we advise reading the following texts. These can be found in the UCL Library:


	Bayman, Louis and Rigoletto, Sergio (eds.): Popular Italian Cinema (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013);
	
	
	Bondanella, Peter: History of Italian Cinema (Continuum, 2009);
	

	Ginsborg, Paul: A History of Contemporary Italy: Society and Politics 1943-1980 (Penguin, 1990);
	
	
	Wood, Mary: Italian Cinema (Berg, 2005).
	
Trigger Warnings:

Please note that some films contain graphic descriptions of violence.

Please note: This module description is accurate at the time of publication. Amendments may be made prior to the start of the academic year.