Equivocal Subjects : Between Italy and Africa -- Constructions of Racial and National Identity in the Italian Cinema

Equivocal Subjects puts forth an innovative reading of the Italian national cinema. Shelleen Greene argues that from the silent era to the present, the cinematic representation of the "mixed-race" or interracial subject has served as a means by which Italian racial and national identity have been negotiated and re-defined. She examines Italy's colonial legacy, histories of immigration and emigration, and contemporary politics of multiculturalism through its cultural production, providing new insights into its traditional film canon. Analysing the depiction of African Italian mixed-race subjects from the historical epics of the Italian silent "golden" era to the contemporary period, this enlightening book engages the history of Italian nationalism and colonialism through theories of subject formation, ideologies of race, and postcolonial theory. Greene's approach also provides a novel interpretation of recent developments surrounding Italy's status as a major passage for immigrants seeking to enter the European Union. This book provides an original theoretical approach to the Italian cinema that speaks to the nation's current political and social climate. Cover HalfTitle Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Figures Filmography Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: From “Making Italians” to Envisioning Postcolonial Italy Chapter 2: Mixed-Race Relationships in the Italian Colonial and Postcolonial Imaginary Chapter 3: Negotiations of Mixed-Race Identity and Citizenship in the Postwar Cinema and Beyond Chapter 4: Transatlantic Crossings: Representing Hierarchies of Whiteness in the Cinema of the Economic Miracle Chapter 5: Zumurrud in her Camera: Pier Paolo Pasolini and the Global South in Contemporary Italian Film Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index This volume puts forth an innovative reading of the Italian national cinema. Shelleen Greene argues that from the silent era to the present, the cinematic representation of the 'mixed-race' or interracial subject has served as a means by which Italian racial and national identity have been negotiated and re-defined. She examines Italy's colonial legacy, histories of immigration and emigration, and contemporary politics of multiculturalism through its cultural production, providing new insights into its traditional film canon Introduction -- From "making Italians?" to envisioning postcolonial Italy -- Mixed-race relationships in the Italian colonial and postcolonial imaginary -- Negotiations of interracial identity and citizenship in the post-war cinema and beyond -- Transatlantic crossings: representing hierarchies of whiteness in the cinema of the economic miracle -- Zumurrud in her camera: Pier Paolo Pasolini and the global south in contemporary Italian film -- Conclusion Presents a portrayal of race in Italian cinema, from the silent era to the present, illuminating issues in contemporary Italian society. This title examines Italy's colonial legacy, histories of immigration and emigration, and politics of multiculturalism through its cultural production, providing insights into its traditional film canon. A Thorough Study Of The Portrayal Of Race In Italian Cinema, From The Silent Era To The Present, Illuminating Issues In Contemporary Italian Society.