identity and Spiro reaffirming his. When they get off the bus, the police try to grab them and escort them away, but Gino calls out “Let go, we are Italians” and the police do so. Gino uses this phrase not only as a way of confirming they are Italians, but also as a sense of entitlement to distinguish him from the Albanians. Gino has finally admitted that Spiro is an Italian, and helps validate Spiro’s identity as an Italian. On the other hand, Gino having to tell them he is Italian is a way for him to reaffirm his Italian identity; that he is an Italian and not any ordinary Albanian. Next, Spiro opens up to who he really is to Gino. In this scene, we see him regaining his identity. At a certain point, Spiro says “Paisa, I am from Sicily. My name is Michele.” Finally confirming who he is, Michele seems to be regaining his identity as an Italian and establishing a connection with Gino, a fellow Sicilian. Example Scene 4 When Gino tries to get back to the hotel, the police grab Gino and once again he calls out “Let go of me, I am Italian”, but this time they do not. Has Gino completely lost who he is as an Italian? Does being an Italian even matter? Instead of letting Gino go back to his home country, they haul him away to an Albanian prison. Gino is forced to sign a confessional, claiming his role in the shoe scam in order to get released. The officer tells him he must leave Albania immediately. Gino reaches for his passport, and the man denies him. Gino questions “How will I get home without a passport?”, but what he really means is “How will they know I’m Italian?” Gino can no longer confirm his Italian identity, and leaves dejected. Conclusion Gino finds a way to board a very packed boat back to Italy. On that boat we see Michele, smiling and happy, while Gino is sullen and depressed. It seems that Michele has found who he is, a proud and generous Italian. The scene flashes to Gino, who has lost everything he has ever known and with that, his identity as well. In the end, the fact that they are leaning on one another shows the interdependence on each other. The “new” Italy must rely on the “old” Italy