What makes an Italian film Italian, a French film French? Are Hollywood films really American? This study reveals how centralization, common language and narrative convention express the cultural heritages within the national cinemas of nine countries (China, Finland, France, India, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Ukraine, and the United States). The goal is to bring critical theory and artistic expression back into equilibrium with a method that demonstrates how popular cinema truly can explain the world, ""one country at a time.

"A New Guide to Italian Cinema,"" "with co-author Carlo Celli, is a complete reworking and update of Marga Cottino-Jones' popular "A Student's Guide to Italian Film "(1983, 1993). This guide retains earlier editions' interest in renowned films and directors but is also attentive to popular cinema, the films which actually achieved box office success among the Italian public. The "Guide" introduces the Italian cinema not just as a 20th century phenomenon but as an expression of the deeper roots of Italy's historic, cultural and literary past. Chapters offer historical timelines and commentary on political and cultural events and trends, followed by discussion of the Italian cinema industry and key films. Appendices offer guides to writing about film, statistical data of Italian box office history and short biographies and filmographies of important directors. The aim of the book is to provide the cinephile, student, teacher, or fan with a guide where points of interest may be identified and studied with clarity.

"A New Guide to Italian Cinema,"" "with co-author Carlo Celli, is a complete reworking and update of Marga Cottino-Jones' popular "A Student's Guide to Italian Film "(1983, 1993). This guide retains earlier editions' interest in renowned films and directors but is also attentive to popular cinema, the films which actually achieved box office success among the Italian public. The "Guide" introduces the Italian cinema not just as a 20th century phenomenon but as an expression of the deeper roots of Italy's historic, cultural and literary past. Chapters offer historical timelines and commentary on political and cultural events and trends, followed by discussion of the Italian cinema industry and key films. Appendices offer guides to writing about film, statistical data of Italian box office history and short biographies and filmographies of important directors. The aim of the book is to provide the cinephile, student, teacher, or fan with a guide where points of interest may be identified and studied with clarity.

When themes of historical and cultural identity appear and repeat in popular film, it is possible to see the real pulse of a nation and comprehend a people, their culture and their history. National Identity in Global Cinema describes how national cultures as reflected in popular cinema can truly explain the world, one country at a time.