Between 1894 and 1927 more than 12 million immigrants arrived at Ellis Island and 3 million of them were Italian. This has been the greatest migratory mass in contemporary history. Currently, the reception centre in Lampedusa is still handling an emergency situation due to the new wave of arrivals. What points are there in common with these century old stories?
In the film Nuovomondo, Sicily is the land of departure, not that of arrival. Director Emanuele Crialese tells us a story that took place at the beginning of the twentieth century. A decision will change the life of an entire family. They will leave the past behind them and start a new life in the new world. Salvatore sells everything that he owns to bring his children and his aged mother to a land promising work and bread for all … New York.
On January 8, the movie will be viewed by a special audience: people who have experienced the drama of immigration first hand. They are the guests of the Centro Enea, the multi-purpose structure for second reception and integration of refugees, political asylum seekers and subsidiary assistance beneficiaries. Many of them come from Somalia and Afghanistan.
The Fondazione Mondo Digitale, which pursues the professional integration of the Centro Enea guests by providing an Internet Café and organising functional and digital literacy courses, has organised this opportunity to allow the young guests of the centre to meet the movie director after the film has been projected.
For those of you interested in learning more about Italian emigration, the Casa della Memoria e della Storia di Roma hosts – until February 28, 2009 – a photographic exhibition on Ellis Island: italiani d'America. The exhibition is divided into three sections on Leaving, Arriving and Living in America – the difficult journey of those who left their country in search of a new life. The exhibition also showcases some of the original intellective tests that were given to all immigrants.
