The stereotypical trait of "la bella figura" is a powerful cultural descriptor of Italian-ness, especially when it is examined outside of Italy or when it is contrasted with other national identities. To best investigate the notion of bella figura, the paper is divided in two sections. The first one provides an illustration of how the notion has been defined in the literature (both academic and recreational), while the second section analyzes how la bella figura was represented in a small selection of movies produced in the United States in the 1990s.
Torresi, I. (2014). “I make more of a bella figura”: Italian-American style at the movies. MEDIAZIONI, 16, 1-22.
“I make more of a bella figura”: Italian-American style at the movies
TORRESI, IRA
2014
Abstract
The stereotypical trait of "la bella figura" is a powerful cultural descriptor of Italian-ness, especially when it is examined outside of Italy or when it is contrasted with other national identities. To best investigate the notion of bella figura, the paper is divided in two sections. The first one provides an illustration of how the notion has been defined in the literature (both academic and recreational), while the second section analyzes how la bella figura was represented in a small selection of movies produced in the United States in the 1990s.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
