The Godfather: Microcosm of the American Tradgedy

Instructor: Ray Tricomo
Contact: 651-714-0288
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Macalester College, Old Main, Room 009.
Course duration: 8 weeks

This movie was made in 1972 and is an example of absolutely magnificent classic cinema. Each class we will watch 20 minute segments of the movie followed by discussion. We'll talk about ethnicity, misguided expectations, buying into the American predatory dream, and ecological reasons for the immigration from Sicily.

We will also look at the theme of victims becoming victimizers. The mafia can be traced back to the
Sicilian peasants who were continually oppressed by various ruling powers who repeatedly let the people down.

Students will get to analyze Sicilian cultural indicators and other aspects of the film. Students of cinema, students of theater, and students with an interest in ethnic experiences in terms of the development of the United States. I welcome students of all backgrounds - college students, faculty, working-class people, Italian Americans, people from other ethnic backgrounds, in the EXCO spirit.

One of the reasons I want to do this class is to address our paranoia about stereotypes. As an Italian American, I want to discuss these issues and the relationships between stereotypes and reality.