Università Roma Tre

Io Mamet e Tu: D. Mamet's theatre and film
Drama and films are often based on literary works. David Mamet has adapted Terence Rattigan's well-made play as a film; Pedro Almodovar has excerpts from A Streetcar Named Desire in his film, among many others.
In October a project called "Io Mamet e Tu" is being developed at Teatro Eliseo. It started in April with China Doll by Mamet, and is continuing with American Buffalo and Glengarry Glen Ross (both subjects for two films) by the Chicago-born playwright. The project will be presented to the class for the students' participation in one of its aspects.
David Mamet translates the well-made play (The Winslow Boy) into film, that will be shown in class and analysed together with the play.
In October American Buffalo and Glengarry Glen Ross will be performed at Eliseo. The students will be present at the performance with the teacher. The two plays, with China Doll (staged in April) belong to the project “Io, Mamet e tu” .
American Buffalo and Glengarry Glen Ross will be analysed in class, with special reference to the stylistic and linguistic features besides the thematic (mainly economic) references.
Other films for oral discussion: The Untouchables; The Postman Always Rings Twice.

Texts
American Buffalo (based on David Mamet’s play)
Glengarry Glen Ross (based on David Mamet’s play)
The Winslow Boy (based on Rattigan’s play)
China Doll
Bibliography: critical approach of
Christopher Bigsby, "A Critical Introduction to Twentieth-Century American Drama", Vol. III (Cambridge UP, 2004)
and
Philip French, “David Mamet and Film,” in Bigsby, The Cambridge Companion to David Mamet (Cambridge UP, 2004): 171-193.
A choice of essays, downloadable from the internet, will be proposed to the students.