The Celluloid Closet: Sex, Power, and Coming Out Repression of the Italian American Closet in Nunzio’s Second Cousin (1994), Kiss Me, Guido (1997), and Mambo Italiano (2003)

This chapter examines the representation of homosexuality in three Italian American/Canadian films: Nunzio’s Second Cousin (1994), Kiss Me, Guido (1997), and Mambo Italiano (2003). The piece opens with an exploration of queer Italian Americans in literature and critical theory, charting an evolution from Masculinity Studies to Homosexuality Studies. Then, the author discusses the theoretical framework for his work, considering both the concept of bella figura versus brutta figura, as well as the significance of private versus public spaces, especially within an Italian American context. Additionally, he uses Eve Sedgwick’s theory of the closet to analyze how homosexual Italian Americans confront their identity—either before or after—leaving the closet. Although each film has a unique relationship with homosexuality, all three male protagonists end with a better understanding of one’s own identity and the concept of gender, whether homosexual or not.