Why Francis Ford Coppola Funds His Own Films
The legendary Francis Ford Coppola is one of the most iconic directors in the film industry, so why does he fund some of his own projects? The 82-year-old moviemaker has certainly been around the cinematic block a few times. He's had plenty of hits, like The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, The Conversation, The Rainmaker, and more. More recently...
An Italian American Family’s 100-year Journey
On Aug. 26, 2021 the Fiorilli family marked its 100th year of living and thriving in these United States of America. Our first ancestors arrived a century ago at the Boston Harbor, having traveled from their hometown of San Giovanni in Galdo, just south of Compobasso, Italy. That group included Antonietta (mother), John (first son), Renzo (second s...
In the Cucina with La Gazzetta: What I Learned as a PBS Zoom Chef
“If you loved me, you’d eat it” was my Italian grandmother’s mantra. Growing up, I recall this barely five-foot-tall woman a powerhouse who expressed her love through homemade pizza, sauteed zucchini flowers, and every dessert imaginable. While preparing for my first guest chef appearance, I realized her food gene was passed on to me. My bac...
Tony Manera Launches His Mystery Novel 'Voices in the Wind - a Matter of Honor' on Oct. 1, 2021
An old Sicilian proverb, "You can force someone to cry but not to sing," sets the stage for Manera's dramatic story of a sophisticated Mafia-connected businessman. Don Pasquale seeks fame and fortune through his inside track on a five-billion-euro project. He lives with his beautiful and jealous wife Donna Rosa in a palatial Renaissance-style villa...
The Handiness of Gesture for Children's Learning
My dad’s side of our family is nearly 100 percent Italian. As a result, I grew up immersed in Italian-American traditions, including large family gatherings with a lot of food and laughter, mispronouncing words like mozzarella (“mut-za-tel”), and most importantly for this post, learning to talk with my hands. I know it’s a silly stereotype that for...
Why Serie B side Ascoli is more than just a business investment for new American owner
It can on occasion feel like scarcely a week goes by without a U.S. investor securing for themselves an Italian football club. From giants of calcio such as Fiorentina and Roma to comparative minnows Catania and Pisa, the influx of cash from across the Atlantic seems relentless. The logic is clear. For the most part these are assets that are availa...
IAP 200: A Thousand Years' Worth of Stories: Robert Barbera and the Mentoris Project
If you were set out to tell the stories of every great Italian and Italian American to leave their mark on human history, you could probably speak for a thousand years without even scratching the surface of such an illustrious list. And for businessman and philanthropist Robert Barbera, that’s exactly the task he has set out for himself. At 89 year...
Telluride Awards Analysis: Paolo Sorrentino Could Put Italy Back in the Oscar Hunt with ‘The Hand of God’
No country in the world has birthed more winners of the best international feature Oscar — formerly the best foreign language film Oscar — than Italy, with 14. However, all but one of those wins happened many years ago. Indeed, in the 21st century, Italy’s only win in the category came eight years ago, with Paolo Sorrentino‘s The Great Beauty. In t...
Genealogy: History of Italian immigration more diverse, complex than stereotype
Italian immigrants in the United States are often thought of as clusters of Catholics who congregate in communities to preserve their culture and religion. In truth, the history of Italian immigration to this country is much more diverse and complex than the stereotype. This week will focus on the primary immigration routes of Italians for the last...
Movie review: From the Vine, a film about finding yourself in Italy
Joe Pantoliano has been put out to pasture, quite literally, in this film about finding yourself in rural Italy. Pantoliano, who contorted our minds in Christopher Nolan's Memento, double-crossed us in The Matrix, and ran with the mob in The Sopranos, is now making wine in the idyllic Italian town of Acerenza. Yep, Pantoliano's career arc has a fam...
Film Movement Takes U.S. on Mario Martone’s Venice Pic ‘The King of Laughter’ Starring Toni Servillo
Film Movement has acquired U.S. rights to Italian director Mario Martone’s “The King of Laughter” (“Qui Rido Io”) ahead of its world premiere Tuesday in competition at the Venice Film Festival. The film, being sold internationally by Italy’s True Colours, toplines Toni Servillo (“The Great Beauty”) as popular and prolific early 20th century Neapoli...
Gwen Stefani – Italian American Singer
Gwen Renée Stefani was born on October 3, 1969, in Fullerton, California, and raised Catholic in nearby Anaheim, California. Her father, Dennis Stefani, is Italian-American and worked as a Yamaha marketing executive. Stefani’s parents were fans of folk music and exposed her to music by artists like Bob Dylan and Emmylou Harris. Her brother Eric int...