SUNDAY, MAY 5 @ 1:30 PM - The Italian Cultural Society, 6821 Fair Oaks Blvd, Carmichael, CA. ADMISSION $10 • REFRESHMENTS INCLUDED • DOORS OPEN AT 1:00pm This poignant documentary “Prisoners In Paradise,” reveals the untold story of over 51,000 Italian soldiers who were brought to the United States as prisoners of war during World War II.

Featuring rare footage, the film follows six Italian POWs – and the women they met in America- and their extraordinary journey. Thousands of these men ended up marrying American women. The story of their lives and romances and friendships with American women and their contributions to the allied war effort are brought to life in this film by New York filmmaker Camilla Calamandrei, the daughter of one of the marriages.

There were camps located in California near Sacramento, Stockton, Benecia, Oakland, San Francisco Presidio, on Angel Island, Pomana, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino and elsewhere and in 26 states. They were frequently entertained by Italian American families on weekends. The local Italian American communities welcomed them. Some Sacramento and Stockton families hosted them, and romances. were common. See the article in this newsletter about the local Sacramento Italian American families on 48th street in east Sacramentos Little Italy and the men they hosted during the war. (2001)

A great war story and love story. Enlightening and moving.”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH FILM TRAILER

CLICK TO READ ARTICLE "Prisoners In Paradise"