Amelio has dealt with historically and socially hot topics in his films, such as terrorism, the death penalty, prostitution, adolescence, emigration, economic boom and unemployment. He is an extremely smart filmmaker whom to his realistically and formally well-defined style, adds a provocative intellectual touch.
This course, while contributing in making his works accessible and widely
appreciated, plans to give everyone who loves cinema, and are interested
in contemporary cultural, sociological and historical developments in
Italy—within the European context—the tools to analyzed and formalize
their critical understanding of modern society through the cinematic medium.

Introduction:
We will start with introductory classes on Film Studies. What are the different
layers of understanding related to viewing a film? What is the difference
between a 'normal' viewer and a 'competent' one? How do we go about analyzing a Film? What useful tools are available? Where to find alternative resources?

Amelio's bio:
We will dedicated one week to Amelio's biography, with particular
attention at his development as a film director within the Italian and
European context. Reference to Amelio's biographical and historical
context will be made throughout the course. All students are
expected to have read the biography, and film reviews pages
before the start of the course.

The course will then proceed by 3 main steps:

Viewing of Amelio's scheduled film

Analysis through theoretical approaches

Individual research and reaction papers

Students will carry out their individual researches through the exhaustive bibliographical reference available at this site as well as making use of further material available on related webpages. Contingent to this one week will be dedicated to the research and use of Web resources in general. Particularly
students will be asked to read and comment, essays, studies and other articles,
collected at the essays page regarding each film and Amelio in general.
EACH TIME THE BEST THREE STUDENTS' PAPERS
WILL BE ADDED TO THE 'ESSAYS' PAGE OF THIS WEBSITE.

Evaluation:
There will be 6 reaction paper, about 1000 words each and worth 10% each.
At the end of each term we will have a one-hour test worth 20% each.
Attendance is necessary in order to succeed.

Books:
Find in light green at the bibliography page the books for this course,
and in darker green those recommended. All other essays and articles
to be read can be found at the essays page on this website.

Introduction to Film Studies, the different approaches
We will consider the sociological, semiological and historical approaches to film studies.

Amelio's biography, Italy at the end of the Millennium
His origins, his studies, his first works for TV, and the times in which he made it and succeeded as a film director.

Related webpages, www and use of integrated resources
Instructions and demonstrations on how to use Web Tools and related software, such as AdobePhotoshop and Pagemaker.

Relationship between father and son in Colpire al cuore
The treatment of a recurrent theme in Amelio's films: father-son, master-servant relationships.

Protagonists' perspectives and director's underlying rules
The 'protagonists' degree of autonomous 'life' in Amelio's direction. Amelio's perspective as a scriptwriter and director.

Amelio' "translation" of Sciascia's work into cinematic style
Literary form versus cinematic form: what differs and how.

Human relations vs. professional and scientific obligations
Amelio's priorities in his ''realistic' treatment of historical events.

Political-cultural settings in I ragazzi di via Panisperna
Films versus other media, as a chronicle account of the times.

Death penalty theme and ethical vision in Porte aperte
How much Amelio's portrayal reflects the views of Italian people.

Amelio's comments in Gianni Volpi's interview
What can be read between the lines of Amelio's own statements regarding his thematic and technical choices.

Character psychology in Porte aperte interpreted by Volontè
Examining Volontè interpretation of a troubled man of justice character.

An interpretation of Italy's upper classes sense of morality
Basis for general moral considerations through film imaginary.

Jacoby's The Hidden Agenda of Gianni Amelio and test
Validity of Jacoby's thesis.

Adolescence--prostitution and unemployment--identity
Adolescence vs. prostitution and the state of education, in juxtaposition with unemployment vs. identity in adulthood.

A journey throughout Italy's geographical "diversity"
Northern and versus Southern Italy: how similar and how diverse.

Community emigration to northern Italy and southern Europe
Emigration within the one same country. A look at Italy's old woes.

Ties between European Eastern and Western societies
The intersecting of neighbouring cultures and histories projected into a past future.

Italian neo-realism cinema, Bondanella's readings
Definition, nature and characteristic of Italian Neo-realism in cinema.

History and hints to neo-realism in Lamerica, Jones essay
Is there any Neo-realism in Amelio? Exam of Jones conclusions.

Amelio's historical narration of Italy
Italy's latest history narrated by Gianni Amelio and his cinema.

Spagnoli's interview regarding the genesis of Così ridevano
Amelio's future projects and aspirations: what his stands and trends reveal.

Cattini's reading of Amelio's circular narrative structures
A semiological analysis of plots and narratives in the diegesis of Amelio's films.

Consideration on Amelio's role as an intellectual director
Revisiting the role of a director at the start of the new Millennium. The picture of an intellectual filmmaker.

Review and concluding notes
The cinema of Gianni Amelio: his achievements, his contributions to art and history.