USA,
1995, 58 min
Shown in 1996
CREDITS
- dir
-
Will Parrinello
- source
-
Mill Valley Film Group
- gga award
-
Certificate of Merit Finalist, Bay Area Documentary
- premiere
-
North American Premiere
-
COMMENTS
Shown with Listen, Paula... Will Parrinello in person.
OTHER
An eclectic collection of characters and personal anecdotes are the highlights of this rewarding gem of a documentary. Poignant tales of immigration and assimilation, memories of tender mothers with indomitable spirits and the music, art and food of Italian American culture are vividly recounted by men and women who grew up in the Little Italys of North Beach in San Francisco and the Arthur Avenue section of the Bronx, including such personalities as August Coppola, Diane di Prima, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Chazz Palminteri. By tackling thorny questions about ethnic identity with candor, passion and pride, the Italian Americans of Little Italy pay tribute to their forebears and lovingly acknowledge how the traditions of a rich and unique culture have informed their lives.
—Julia Jaurigui
FACTOID #210
When Ginger Rogers appeared for a tribute at the SFIFF in 1984 (’sporting hair with the color and richness of whipped butter,’ wrote the Examiner), she shocked the packed Castro Theatre crowd at her 1984 tribute when she griped, ’The filthy mouths we’re hearing in films today’I won’t pay to see these movies. I’d rather stay home and make jam.’
