Barbara O Bird, Thesis Supervisor Maura Elizabeth Shea, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
film-video film video italian international studies perugia italy language culture multiculturalism learning
Abstract:
When I, an American student, traveled to Italy to study Italian, I expected that I would have little trouble fully immersing myself in the Italian culture and language. But when I arrived, I found myself amazed at being surrounded by so many American, Chinese, Eastern European, and African faces. I found that the allure of Italy has not changed; its delightful cuisine, extensive history, and breathtaking landscapes are still its cornerstones. But, to my surprise, the world is flocking to Italy, with American culture at the forefront, and the Italians are not always so sure how to handle such change. I came to Italy with expectations, and left with a different, yet significant message. The documentary part of this thesis covers these themes and topics, while the written part serves as a supplement to the documentary, providing relevant background information as well as the motivations behind the creative choices made during the pre-production, production, and post-production stages of making the documentary.
