National Identity in Global Cinema: How Movies Explain the World (Italian and Italian American Studies (Palgrave Hardcover))

When themes of historical and cultural identity appear and repeat in popular film, it is possible to see the real pulse of a nation and comprehend a people, their culture, and their history. National Identity in Global Cinema describes how national cultures, as reflected in popular cinema, can truly explain the world, one country at a time. What makes an Italian film Italian, a French film French? Are Hollywood films really American? This study reveals how centralization, common language and narrative convention express the cultural heritages within the national cinemas of nine countries (China, Finland, France, India, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Ukraine, and the United States). The goal is to bring critical theory and artistic expression back into equilibrium with a method that demonstrates how popular cinema truly can explain the world, one country at a time What Makes An Italian Film Italian Or A French Film French? Are Hollywood Films Really American? This Study Reveals How Centralization, Common Language, And Narrative Convention Express The Cultural Heritages Within The National Cinemas Of Nine Countries. Celli Brings Critical Theory And Artistic Expression Back Into Equilibrium With A Method That Demonstrates How Popular Cinema Truly Can Explain The World, One Country At A Time -- Introduction -- China's Confucian, Misogynistic Nationalism -- Finland's Rural Urban Split -- A Certain Suicidal Tendency In French Cinema -- The Promises Of India -- The Iranian Divide -- Italian Circularity -- Death In Mexico -- Ukrainian Dualism -- America's Civil War And Hollywood's Pragmatism -- Conclusion. Carlo Celli. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Coverpage......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 8 List of Illustrations......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1 China’s Confucian, Misogynistic Nationalism......Page 22 2 Finland’s Rural-Urban Split......Page 34 3 A Certain (Suicidal) Tendency in French Cinema......Page 54 4 The Promises of India......Page 72 5 The Iranian Divide......Page 82 6 Italian Circularity......Page 94 7 Death in Mexico......Page 110 8 Ukrainian Dualism......Page 126 9 America’s Civil War and Hollywood’s Pragmatism......Page 140 Conclusion......Page 160 Notes......Page 168 Bibliography......Page 176 Index......Page 186 What makes an Italian film Italian or a French film French? Are Hollywood films really American? This study reveals how centralization, common language, and narrative convention express the cultural heritages within the national cinemas of nine countries. Celli brings critical theory and artistic expression back into equilibrium with a method that demonstrates how popular cinema truly can explain the world, one country at a time -- Provided by Publisher "This book, with its bold call for a new way to approach critical analysis of national cinemas, will stand up as a fundamental text of solid, timeless film criticism, outside of the critical vogues that come and go on a short timely base."--Marga Cottino-Jones, Emerita Professor of Italian, UCLA