Behind Closed Doors: Film as Text and the Exploration of Reading Practices in Sanctioned Institutional Abuse Item Type text; Electronic Dissertation Authors di Filippo, JoAnn Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 30/09/2021 08:46:19 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/306146 1 BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: FILM AS TEXT AND THE EXPLORATION OF READING PRACTICES IN SANCTIONED INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE by JoAnn di Filippo _________________________ Copyright @ JoAnn di Filippo 2013 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the COMPARATIVE CULTURAL AND LITERARY STUDIES PROGRAM In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2013 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Dissertation Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by JoAnn di Filippo entitled BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: FILM AS TEXT AND THE EXPLORATION OF READING PRACTICES IN SANCTIONED INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. _______________________________________________________________________ Date: June 14, 2013 Barbara Babcock _______________________________________________________________________ Date: June 14, 2013 James Greenberg _______________________________________________________________________ Date: June 14, 2013 Mary Beth Haralovich Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate’s submission of the final copies of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement. ________________________________________________ Date: June 14, 2013 Dissertation Director: Barbara Babcock 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgement of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the copyright holder. SIGNED: JoAnn di Filippo 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study developed as a result of working over thirty years in business and film industries, and law firms—participating in the crafting of legal defense claims for clients involved in white collar crime, insurance defense, environmental and securities law, and immigration. To each, I owe a debt of gratitude for providing me an opportunity to experience life from many different facets and perspectives, introducing me to individuals who have become lifelong friends, mentors, and cherished persons in my life. Others, while I recognize their questionable and, often times, contested contribution to my life, gave me the strength and fortitude to move forward and with conviction. When I first came to the university in 1993 to study Federal Indian Law and Policy, I met Regents Professor Barbara A. Babcock—a guiding figure in everything I was to accomplish over the next twenty years, and ultimately serving as my Dissertation Chair. Dr. Babcock was/is truly an inspiration to me and instrumental in assisting me to explore new venues, rethink customs and traditions, connect the dots, and examine the representational nature of everything in life. My explorations and questioning came in the form of finding meaning through interdisciplinary research. It was a perfect match. I wanted to know “why” and she guided me to the library of life where I found answers to my questions from such notable scholars as Victor Turner, Stuart Hall, Adorno, Gramsci, Rosaldo, Dryer, Foucault, Said, Marx, Bakhtin, Althusser, Bourdieu, Eagleton, Williams, and Babcock herself—to name a few. To these cultural theorists and more, I acknowledge and thank them for expanding my world of knowledge. I would also like to acknowledge and thank Professors James Greenberg and Mary Beth Haralovich, both members of my dissertation committee. Greenberg’s work on political ecology and neoliberalism provided a new lens for understanding the production and exchange of basic resources in working-class communities. From his work, I obtained a better understanding of how power structures were constituted, and how policy was developed (even and uneven) and used to control working-class interests. Haralovich’s work on social history in US films and television enabled me to focus on how films participate in the construction of meaning in our everyday lives. From film studio advertising campaigns to the incorporation of fireworks in film and television, Haralovich’s work provided me the fortitude to continue exploring meaning in life through a cinematic lens—particularly my life. To my father, for every time you agreed with me, I thank you. For every time you disagreed with me, I thank you more. To my mother, thank you for introducing me to the wonderful world of cinema and the Garlic Opera. To my grandfather, Antonino, thank you for teaching me about the meaning of family, honor, social drama, and culture. To all the voices of opposition, stand up for what you believe in, fight for what you believe, and recognize how institutions use biased-constituted fabrics to enforce their policies. 5 DEDICATION To my BFFs who have been there day and night, through the brightest of days to the darkest moments of despair. I can always count on you to give me a lick of praise, a snort of satisfaction, and a kick of independence …. DPI Let It Ride, without you none of this would have been possible. You came from New Mexico, leaving your home and family to raise a new family with me. You are the best mother anyone could ever have. Heza Latin Lover, you gave me my first win in Sonoita. What a glorious day that was and one I will never forget. Red It Ride, you always be remembered. Your performance on the 870 at Rillito was jaw dropping. I watch the video everyday and realize that despite all obstacles, one can still triumph. I miss you terribly. Shameless Shah, you are playing in the league with the big boys and holding your own. No one believed an Appendix could do it, but you proved the boys-in-the-contingency wrong. Jess Tutto Bello, your million dollar daddy and great grand daddy Triple Crown winner are counting on you to continue the legacy of winners. You have shown me the meaning of the tradition of excellence. We were the oppositional voices at the track going against the power brokers who dominated for many years. We prevailed and came out glorious. You helped me explore, contemplate, and test each hypothesis of my dissertation through our unique relationship of cultural meanings, spoken words, endorphins, and mutual trust and understanding. To each of you who stood in your stalls at the racetrack, quietly and without disruption while I typed my dissertation furiously between races, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. To my pride and joy, Red It Ride, we’ll join you when the time is right. Until then, carry my love with you. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 8 STRUCTURE OF THE DISSERTATION .................................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER TWO: INSIDE THE PHENOMENON OF SANCTIONED INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE ............................................................................................ 26 SANCTIONED INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE: WHAT IS IT? ............................................................................................... 30 READING PRACTICES: MESSAGES, MEANINGS, AND INTERPRETATIONS .................................................................... 34 CONSIDERATIONS IN EXPLORING SANCTIONED INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE ...................................................................... 39 BEGINNING WITH THE REAL EXPERIENCE TO UNDERSTAND THE REEL REPRESENTATION ............................................... 46 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY.................................................................... 61 INTERDISCIPLINARY METHODS: THE FOUNDATIONAL FRAMEWORK ......................................................................... 61 CATEGORY 1: DEATH TO THE OPPOSITIONAL VOICE ............................................................................................. 66 CATEGORY 2: DEVASTATION AND DESTRUCTION TO THE OPPOSITIONAL VOICE ......................................................... 67 CATEGORY 3: VINDICATION TO THE OPPOSITIONAL VOICE .................................................................................... 71 SOCIAL DRAMA: BUILDING A THEORETICAL INTERDISCIPLINARY FRAMEWORK ........................................................... 73 CHAPTER FOUR: CRITICAL THINKING OF SANCTIONED INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE IN REEL VISUAL DISCOURSE .................................