La Famiglia

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Description

Written and produced by John Maggio and narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci, “The Italian Americans” explores the evolution of the Italian community, from “outsiders” in the late nineteenth century, viewed with suspicion and mistrust, to some of the most prominent leaders of business, politics and the arts today. This film provides a context for the great flight from the Mezzogiorno region, as well as the roots of the first generation's distinctive psychology. Through the travels of Italian migrant workers, we understand the transnational nature of these "Birds of Passage." Little Italy enclaves sprang up in urban areas throughout the U.S., but residents holding onto their language and culture were mistrusted by non-Italians. In New Orleans, eleven Italian Americans were murdered by an armed mob, while in San Francisco, a second generation Italian American saved his community from disaster. Distributed by PBS distribution.