Allison Rittweger

Abstract

This essay is about the rampant sexism experienced in Italy through media and specifically films and television. As I explain in the paper, former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (1994-1995, 2001-2006, 2008-2011), who is also the owner of the largest and only Italian television empire, used his control over what aired on TV to influence the mindset of Italian citizens and warp people’s idea of reality. From the stark, serious portrayal of life in cinema during the popularity of neo-realism to male-dominated trash television featuring ‘veline,’ or scantily clad television showgirls, this essay explores the role of media in shaping the public’s sense of reality and their relationship to work and fame.

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