Research: Behind the Scenes of the 'Main-melody'. Institutions, Languages, and Narratives of Chinese Cinema
East Asia Curriculum, 36th cycle (scholarship recipient)
11/2020 - present: PhD candidate at the Italian Institute of Oriental Studies (ISO), Sapienza University of Rome.
Thesis title: Behind the Scenes of the 'Main-melody'. Institutions, Languages, and Narratives of Chinese Cinema
This thesis focuses on Chinese propaganda cinema, with reference to the so-called ‘main melody cinema’ (zhuxuanlü dianying 主旋律电影). A category established in 1987 that has brought together the propaganda tradition of the People’s Republic of China, and which is one of the most successful products at the Chinese box office. The 'main melody' is analyzed here from two perspectives. Firstly, through a historical perspective, which highlights the institutions that have controlled, regulated, and supported the Chinese propaganda films from the late XIX century to 2022 - the terminus ad quem of the thesis. Secondly, an in-depth study on the 'cinema of the main melody' (1987-2022) is presented within the methodological framework of Chinese media and film studies. To identify the elements of propaganda storytelling in terms of languages and narratives, the analysis of a selection of ‘main melody films’ is proposed. The latter is based on the encounter of theories of film and film storytelling, together with linguistic-cultural Chinese studies.
Member of the project "Database of Biographies of Italians in China: 1866-1911 (DBIC 1866-1911)" (Sapienza University of Rome, 2021, duration 36 months). Proponent: Prof. Davor Antonucci (ISO Department). Members: Prof. Alessandra Brezzi (ISO Department), Prof. Federica Casalin (ISO Department), Prof. Maurizio Marinelli (University College London), Dr. Silvia Nico (ISO Department).
Proponent of the Sapienza University of Rome Starting Grants
(2021) "The Keywords of Chinese Propaganda Blockbusters: a lexicometric analysis of Chinese language subtitles of PRC mainstream films (2009-2020) " (duration 12 months) (2022) "CIAC, si gira! - Italian Filmmakers in China (1896-1932)” (duration 12 months).
(2023) “Screens of China: reading modern history in post-reform propaganda films” (12 months)
12/2022 – 02/2023 Visiting Research Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Studies Institute of Waseda University (Tokyo). Host Professor: Prof. Nakajima Seio.
06/2020: FOR24 - Qualification for teaching Chinese Language in Secondary Schools, University of Milan.
09/2017 - 04/2020: Master’s Degree in Languages and Cultures for International Communication and Cooperation, University of Milan.
09/2014 - 07/2017: Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistic and Cultural Mediation, University of Milan.
Research interests: Chinese cinema, Chinese culture, film criticism, narratives and storytelling, Sino-Italian cinematic relations.