The theatre room of the Centro Enea is full. The projection of Nuovomondo begins. All faces are concentrated, time flies and at the end the director, Emanuele Crialese, enters applauded by the crowd.
“I am happy to present this film to you. Italians had to overcome many difficulties, too,” the director explains. “Many Italian families that emigrated to America in search of work between 1900 and 1950 had to split up. Many were sent back home as they were considered crazy and suffered discriminations and humiliations.”
The meeting between Mr. Crialese and the guests of the Centro Enea was unexpected and intense. The film director received many questions: what was the situation of the young Italian emigrants to America? Did the government provide any support? One young man even asked “Why did the Italians go to America and not Afghanistan?”
Durino the debate, Mr. Crialese emphasised the fact that Italians around the world represent the greatest migration until recent times and the phenomena that involves the guests of the Centro Enea. This means that Italians should be the first to understand how to welcome emigrants.
At the end, the Centro Enea guests thanked the director, the audience, their teachers and tutors at the Centro Enea. A very pleasant evening, one that must be repeated…
