Dallattrice

Dallattrice (often written dall’attrice in Italian) is a term used in contemporary film criticism and Italian cinema studies to denote a theoretical approach that foregrounds the actress as a source of narrative meaning and filmic agency. The word combines dall’ (from the) and attrice (actress), signaling a shift in emphasis from director-centered analysis toward the actress’s performance as a central vector of interpretation.

Origins and usage: The concept appears in late 20th- and early 21st-century discussions within Italian criticism, particularly among scholars concerned with performance studies, gender representation, and authorship. Proponents argue that dallattrice-oriented analysis relocates interpretive authority to the actress’s on-screen presence, including choices in line delivery, facial expression, gesture, and interaction with other characters, as well as the performer’s contribution to the film’s stylistic texture.

Key features: The approach stresses actress-centered interpretation, examining how a performance shapes viewers’ perceived reality and meaning. It often considers how the actress’s presence interacts with narrative structure, cinematography, and direction, and how it relates to broader questions of the female gaze and spectator positioning.

Criticism: Critics warn that the term can be vague or risk essentializing performers. Some argue that it may overlook the collaborative nature of filmmaking or be difficult to apply consistently across different genres and cultural contexts.

See also: Italian cinema, film theory, performance studies, gaze theory, auteurism.