Italian Cinema in the Present Tense:
New Narrative Practices from Adaptation to Transmedia
and Transnational Cinema
A Seminar in Honor of Millicent Marcus
Friday, Nov. 13 and Sat., Nov. 14, 2015
Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
Millicent Marcus’ work pioneers an approach to adaptation that sees the mediation of a literary work via film as an “extended chain that includes an imagined pretextual history based on lived experience, memory, and dream” (Filmmaking By the Book ix). The adaptive process is “the sum total of a series of encounters” (ix): institutional, semiotic, personal. In her landmark work, Marcus considers the works of Luchino Visconti, Vittorio De Sica, Pier Paolo Pasolini, the Fratelli Taviani, and Federico Fellini, arguing that in the process of adaptation, filmmakers must come to terms with a multivalent cultural past. In these two days of study, we propose to bring theories of adaptation into dialogue with the new narratives, new voices, and new media in contemporary Italy. Italian director Susanna Nicchiarelli (Il terzo occhio, Cosmonauta, Sputnik 5, La scoperta dell’alba, Per tutta la vita) will attend as a guest artist to discuss the topic of intermediality through her work. We envision this event as an opportunity to advance relevant discussions on current artistic trends, genres, and forms of production that are affecting cinema and its intersections with other texts, media, and transnational productions.
We invite papers taking creative approaches to the practices and problems of adaptation, transmedia, and transnational cinema in the context of “Italian Cinema in the Present Tense.” While the selection process will be competitive and necessarily limited (all sessions will be plenaries), we invite all interested scholars to join the conversation by attending the two days of study, including film screenings, a seminar led by Millicent Marcus, and other accompanying events. The entire event will provide a foundation for an edited volume on the topics discussed. All scholars in attendance will be encouraged to submit their work for consideration. More details on this publication project will be provided during the event.
Below is a brief description of the two days of study with a list of topics we invite scholars to discuss:
Friday, November 13
● Seminar on Film Adaptation led by Millicent Marcus
● Film screening and Q&A with Film Director Susanna Nicchiarelli
Saturday, November 14
● A series of panels organized on the following topics:
○ Adaptation and Intertextuality
○ New Forms of Authorship (Participatory Film, Fan Fiction, Collective Authorship)
○ New Narrative Practices and Genres across Media: Transmedia Culture (Convergence of Literature, Information, Film, TV, Web, Fan Culture)
○ Translating and Adapting Film Across Borders: Transnational Cinema
Final Reception for all Participants
Please send an abstract of 300-500 words on any of the topics listed above, in English or Italian, with a short bibliography and a brief bio by August 20th to [log in to unmask]. The organizing committee will communicate the definitive composition of the panels by September 15th.
There is no conference fee. Light refreshments and final reception will be offered by the seminar’s organizers.
The organizing committee:
Deborah Amberson, University of Florida
Silvia Carlorosi, Fordham University
Fabiana Cecchini, Texas A&M University
Giovanna Faleschini Lerner, Franklin & Marshall College
Crystal Hall, Bowdoin College
Lina Insana, University of Pittsburgh
Nicoletta Marini-Maio, Dickinson College
Elena Past, Wayne State University
Gabriella Romani, Seton Hall University
The seminar is sponsored by:
Central Pennsylvania Consortium
Dickinson College, Franklin & Marshall College, Gettysburg College
Franklin & Marshall College
Department of Italian, Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film, Ware College House, Center for Liberal Arts and Society
Dickinson College
Department of French and Italian, Film Studies Program