Family Stories in Italy and the United States: from Parenthood to Tutto può succedere
This article provides an analysis of the TV series Tutto può succedere (Anything could happen) (RAI 1, 2015-2018), the Italian adaptation of the American format Parenthood (NBC, 2010-2015). Assuming that every form of reproduction from an original text is always a ‘new story’, the main objective is to examine the narrative efficacy of the Italian adaptation both in terms of stylistic and expressive forms and cultural identity of the product. Through a qualitative analysis of the texts, I highlight the founding elements of the new story as compared to the original: a stronger enhancement of the family’s unity; an approach to everyday reality more in a private perspective; a cultural reworking of the female characters. I argue that Tutto può succedere is an effective adaptation, since it succeeds in giving the story a specific Italian identity (the value of family and motherhood), and in taking from Parenthood innovative forms of storytelling with respect to the Italian narrative tradition