The power of movies has proven itself time and time again throughout history. Cinema often mirrors the plights of society or recounts life-changing events. Such is the case with Peter Miller’s new documentary film, “Projections of America.” My first encounter with Miller happened in 2006 when I reviewed his beautiful documentary for Fra Noi, “Sacco and Vanzetti,” the heartbreaking story of two Italian immigrants executed for a crime they unlikely committed. Since then, I have remained in contact with Miller on social media. I saw that he was promoting his most recent film, so I had an idea to …

  When I first contacted screenwriter Francesca Serafini for an interview, I had no idea the incredible day I would have translating her words. Not only did I appreciate the information in her responses to my questions, but I also appreciated her poetic way of writing them. She has her craft down to a science. It turns out that in college, Francesca majored in the History of the Italian Language. Upon graduation, she began her career writing books and then in 2003 shifted her focus to screenwriting. Since then, she has worked in both film and television. Her latest project, …

  Ettore Scola was the last remaining master of Italian cinema. He passed away on January 19, 2016, at the age of 84. Born in 1931 in the southern region of Campania, Ettore Scola launched his filmmaking career in the early ’50s creating iconic films like “Un Americano a Roma” starring Alberto Sordi and “Il Sorpassso” starring Vittorio Gassman. However, he began writing long before. Following in the footsteps of his mentor, friend and colleague, Federico Fellini, Scola got his start writing for the Rome-based satire newspaper, Marc’Aurelio. He grew up reading the paper to his blind grandfather, with many of …

  The Museum of Modern Art’s current film series “Antonio Pietrangeli: A Retrospective” is in its final days, so if you’re in New York City this week, it’s still not too late to catch one of these Italian classics on the big screen. Born in Rome, Pietrangeli first studied medicine but fate took over when he assisted Luchino Visconti on his 1943 film, “Obsession.” Pietrangeli went on to contribute to the screenplays of Visconti’s “La Terra Trema” and Roberto Rossellini’s “Europa ’51” (in which he also appears as a psychiatrist). As a director, he wasted no time in finding his …

  Italy’s Oscar contender is about to make its U.S. premiere. Claudio Caligari’s “Non essere cattivo” (Don’t Be Bad) is in the lineup of “Cinema Italian Style” – LA’s annual showcase of conetemporary Italian cinema. Produced by Luce Cinecittà and the American Cinematheque, and under the artistic director of Italian journalist Laura Delli Colli, the festival is celebrating its 11th year with 11 fantastic, newly released films. See the complete lineup here. http://www.cinemaitalianstyle.net/films.html) “Non essere cattivo” premiered at this year’s Venice Film Festival and was released shortly thereafter in Italy. Set in the 90’s along the Roman seaside town of …

  Immigration is a hot topic across the globe right now. Whether the headline is about young Syrians escaping their war-torn homeland to seek refuge in Europe, or boatloads of North African refugees arriving on the shores of Italy, or the U.S. presidential debate on illegal emigration from Mexico to the United States, it seems that immigration is affecting just about everyone these days. Indie filmmaker Federica Foglia took her own story of immigration and turned it into a film premiered in the Short Cuts Program of the Toronto International Film Festival. Foglia is an Italian who recently emigrated to …

  Italian filmmakers will certainly excel at this year’s Venice Film Festival, and I’m really looking forward to hearing all about Marco Bellocchio’s, “Sangue del mio sangue.” However, if I had to choose one must-see film of the festival, it would be Alberto Caviglia’s “Pecore in erba.” Here are three reasons why: 1) It stars our beloved Anna Ferruzzo. 2) It takes place in the gorgeous, historic Roman neighborhood of Trastevere. 3) And most importantly, it will be shown in the Venice Sala Web, which means you don’t have to attend the festival to see it! “Pecore in erba” is a …

  When many of us Italian-Americans imagine our families back in Italy, we have visions of beautiful, welcoming people filled with warmth and enthusiasm. Since all of my great-grandparents came from the regions of Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily, I have a special affection for the south. My paternal great grandfather came from Calabria, so I naturally consider all Calabrese warm and full of love and compassion like him and his children; my grandfather and great aunts. Well that is exactly what I found when I contacted “Anime nere” (Black Souls) cast member, Stefano Priolo for an interview about his beloved …

  Born in Bernalda, a small town in the province of Matera, Angelo Troiano grew up watching the work of American directors like Francis Ford Coppola, whose grandfather is from the same town. When he was a child, Troiano’s mother took him to the local Cineplex to see cinematic masterpieces. However, he didn’t hear his calling to be a filmmaker until he was well into his teens. In 2008, he started Basiliciak, a small production company funded solely by contributions from supporters. He produced three films with Basiliciak, including the highly acclaimed short film, “AnnA,” which was directed by his friend …

  The program for the 72nd edition of the Venice Film Festival was announce recently, and it’s really the perfect combination of maestro, indie and everything in between. The festival is known for its annual showcase of international artists and this year is no exception. And four Italian directors presenting their films in the main competition, there is a strong Italian presence. They are Marco Bellocchio with “Sangue del mio sangue,” Luca Guadagnino with his English-language film “A Bigger Splash,” Giuseppe Gaudino with “Per amor vostro” and Piero Messina with “L’attesa.” Three Italian films will be in competition for Venice …