EXCLUSIVE: Armand Assante (Gotti) has joined the feature documentary The Streets of Little Italy: 100 Years of San Gennaro and will narrate the project, directed by Paul Borghese (Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn).
Currently in production, the feature-length documentary chronicles the story of how a small immigrant religious procession on Manhattan’s Mulberry Street evolved into the world’s most famous and most attended Italian feast. The film is produced by CIAO USA in collaboration with Figli di San Gennaro, Inc., the organization behind the feast.
Production has already filmed in Naples, the city of Benevento (the birthplace of San Gennaro), and the city of Pozzuoli (where San Gennaro was martyred), exploring the Saint’s origins and the spiritual roots that inspired generations of Italian immigrants. Filming is currently underway in New York’s Little Italy and will continue throughout this year’s 100th anniversary Feast of San Gennaro, set to take place on Mulberry Street from September 17-27.
The synopsis reads: “Blending rare archival materials, historical photography, intimate interviews with lifelong Little Italy residents, prominent Italian-American actors and public figures, and immersive vérité coverage of this year’s centennial celebration, the documentary follows the evolution of the Feast over the past century. The film also traces the immigrant journey through archival material from Ellis Island, connecting the story of San Gennaro to the millions of Italians who first arrived in America seeking a new life.”
The documentary is written by Fred Gardaphé, one of the founders of Italian-American Studies and Distinguished Professor of English and Italian-American Studies at Queens College, CUNY, with cinematography by George Mitas.
“The Feast of San Gennaro is so much more than a festival; it’s the heartbeat of Little Italy and a living testament to the resilience, faith, and pride of generations of Italian-Americans,” Borghese said in a statement.
“As a proud Italian American whose work has always been deeply connected to New York and its people, it’s an incredible privilege to help preserve this story for future generations while celebrating one hundred years of a tradition that continues to unite families from around the world.”
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