| Description: | The term "Mafia", is one of several world recognized Italian words. It is also one of the most popular subjects in film, with a wide range of cinematic representations. Mafia stories are often present in comedies, dramas, gangster movies and parodies. This course is focused on the historical, political and social background of the Italian mafia with special attention to the Sicilian phenomenon and its links with the American "Cosa Nostra". The most significant works about the mafia (directed in Italy and in the United States) will be shown and discussed during the lectures. |