Italianamerican

About Italianamerican

Italianamerican is a documentary released in 1974. It was directed by Martin Scorsese and portrays a detailed insight into the life of his parents, Charles and Catherine Scorsese. Filled with intimate moments, the film captures the tales of their immigration from Sicily to New York City, their struggle, and adaptation to the American life. It efficiently showcases the essence of Italian-American culture, traditions, and their perseverance to continue those in different circumstances.

Making / Production

The director, Martin Scorsese, utilized his own family's living room as the primary filming location, leveraging the essence of Italian American culture. He artistically blended personal stories, family photos, and home-cooked Italian meals to pull together an authentic piece.

Actors

• Charles Scorsese: He played himself in the movie. Charles shared genuine stories of his immigration journey and life in the US as an Italian American.
• Catherine Scorsese: She also played herself in the movie. Catherine talked about her traditions, family values, and her famous meatball recipe.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was shot on 16mm film.
• Catherine Scorsese's recipes became so popular that they were compiled into a cookbook.
• Martin Scorsese put himself on camera to interview his parents, making it a more intimate experience.

Awards

The film did not receive any awards but is critically acclaimed and considered an integral part of the director's oeuvre.

Quotes

• "Remember, there's nothing better than your own, and your own is the United States" - Catherine Scorsese
• "The good old days were good for us, maybe not for everyone" - Charles Scorsese

Music, Soundtrack

There is no official soundtrack for Italianamerican. The film relied heavily on the conversation and natural background noise to convey its story and atmosphere.