Exam 1

Question 1

1. How did the Sicilian Mafia survive and flourish in the US at the beginning of the 20th century?

Answer 1

They adapted and transformed from a system of territorial dominance to a transnational venture.

Question 2

What historical and social factors contributed to the rise of the American Mafia in the 1920s?

Answer 2

The end of WW1 left many veterans jobless. The Volstead Act created a business opportunity for the unemployed to provide alcohol to Americans who still wanted to consume it.

Question 3

What made Al Capone a figure of both repulsion and attraction?

Answer 3

He was a figure of repulsion as a mobster and the son of Italian immigrants. He was a figure of attraction because he was an example of a self-made man.

Question 4

What technical innovation allowed the film industry to capitalize on the figure of the Italian American mafioso? Why?

Answer 4

The innovation of sound cinema in 1927 allowed the film industry to capitalize on the figure of the Italian American mafioso by allowing the Italian accent and poor English to be heard.

Question 5

What is the typical story of a gangster film?

Answer 5

The typical story of a gangster film is the rise and fall of a character.

Question 6

Cosa Nostra

Answer 6

Sicily

Question 7

Camorra

Answer 7

Campania

Question 8

‘Ndrangheta

Answer 8

Calabria

Question 9

Sacra Corona Unita

Answer 9

Puglia

Question 10

What is the structure of the Camorra? How does it differ from the structure of Cosa Nostra?

Answer 10

The structure is a series of gangs that each consist of one gang leader plus trusted members. This differs from the structure of the Cosa Nostra because it lacks a clear hierarchy.

Question 11

What are the main activities of Camorra gangs?

Answer 11

The main activities of Camorra include intimidation and extorsion, illegal gambling, usury, public sector fraud, illicit trafficking, and money laundering.

Question 12

What is the internal organization of the ‘Ndrangheta?

Answer 12

The traditional organization includes the ‘ndrina, locale, and crimine (or provencia). The ‘ndrina is the basic unit made up of blood relatives and is autonomous in its territory. A locale is formed by several ‘ndrine and the crimine/provencia is a governing body that coordinates the ‘ndrine.

Question 13

What are the main international activities of the ‘Ndrangheta?

Answer 13

The main international activities of the ‘Ndrangheta are drug trafficking, other illicit trades including firearms and dangerous waste, control over commercial activities, and money laundering through stock exchange investments.

Question 14

What important measures were introduced by the Rognoni-La Torre Law (Law 646/1982)?

Answer 14

This law gave a definition of the Mafia, introduced the crime of association and collaboration with Mafia-type organizations, and permitted the seizure and confiscation of items belonging to members of a Mafia-type organization.

Question 15

How is the American dream represented in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather (1972)? How does this film refashion the classic gangster formula?

Answer 15

The opening line “I believe in America” is an allusion to the American dream. The film is set during the economic boom of post-war America which makes the dream of material success a reality. This refashions the classic gangster formula because viewers can identify with the characters. In this new formula, the mafioso is the American dream.

Question 16

Examine the approach adopted by Martin Scorsese in his adaptation of Nicholas Pileggi’s book Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family. How does GoodFellas (1990) portray the wiseguys’ daily lives? What elements contribute to the representation of the gangster as a mythical figure?

Answer 16

Martin Scorsese’s approach uses realistic content and stylized storytelling. GoodFellas portrays the wiseguy’s daily lives with great attention to detail including costumes and music and contains elements typical of the documentary tradition. Henry’s fascination with the gangster life (in the opening scene), stylized storytelling and camera movements (in the Copacabana club scene), and the cinematic references all contribute to the representation of the gangster as a mythical figure.

Question 17

In what way is the title “Hollywood” suitable to the ninth chapter of Roberto Saviano’s book Gomorra (Gomorrah, 2006)? How is the tension between the real Mafia and the imaginary Mafia represented in Saviano’s book and in Matteo Garrone’s film Gomorra (Gomorrah, 2008)?

Answer 17

This title is suitable because the mobster Walter Shiavone’s villa is dubbed “Hollywood” and the Neapolitan mobsters emulate Hollywood prototypes. The tension between the real and imaginary Mafia is represented by the mobsters identifying themselves with characters from classic gangster films. The cinema is appropriated by the mobsters, who try and emulate the personalities and behaviors, as it enhances their myth.

Question 18

Ercole Giap Parini’s “The Strongest Mafia: ’Ndrangheta Made in Calabria” and John Dickie’s Blood Brotherhood explore the ’Ndrangheta’s local, national, and international presence. How does Francesco Munzi’s Anime Nere (Black Souls, 2014) depict the issues highlighted in these essays?

Answer 18

The issues highlighted in these essays are depicted in various ways throughout Francesco Munzi’s Anime Nere. Leo’s action of shooting up a rival family’s bar is an allusion to the ‘ndrine’s control over local businesses. The first scenes are set in Amsterdam and Milan, and this represents the national and international presence of the ‘Ndrangheta. Many of the gang’s typical activities, including drug smuggling and money laundering, are shown in the film.