Western Illinois University: Macomb Campus

I was born and raised in Pescara, Italy, where I received my Laurea (cum laude, University "G. D'Annunzio"). I hold a Master's degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Oregon.

Before coming to WIU in 2006, I taught at Dickinson College (Pennsylvania) and at the University of Oklahoma.

At WIU, I am responsible for teaching film courses and directing the Interdisciplinary Film Minor. I am also the faculty adviser for the WIU Film Studies Club. Having contributed to the creation of an Interdisciplinary Film Minor has made my staying at WIU particularly enjoyable. I love teaching film and I do enjoy interacting with students who have a passion for film and filmmaking.

My scholarly interests mostly focus on race/ethnicity and gender. I have published refereed articles on food and Italian American cinema, teaching African cinema to undergraduates, and violence and sexuality in the early films by Matteo Garrone.

In 2011, Peter Lang Publisher released my first book, Italy Meets Africa. Colonial Discourses in Italian Cinema.

My latest work on comedy Italian style can be found in A Companion to Film Comedy, edited by Andrew Horton and Joanna Rapf and published in December 2012 by Wiley-Blackwell.

I am currently researching for two projects: a book on immigration and racial identity in contemporary Italian cinema and an article on comedy film in Israeli cinema.

Besides watching and discussing movies, I love to travel. I enjoy exploring new places and cultures. I also enjoy architecture, contemporary art and design, photography, good wine and good food!