Film Society hosts regional premiere—and meet the filmmaker

On June 28, get a rare chance to see the regional premiere of a new short documentary from filmmaker Len Guercio.
The documentary, “The St. Nicholas Authentic Italian Festival,” is a brief study of a community celebration of Italian cultural heritage and traditions.
“But it is also a general investigation into questions of ethnic authenticity and identity,” says Guercio. “How can a festival be authentically Italian in America? How does one define ethnic identity in our society? What does it mean to be an Italian-American or, for that matter, any ethnic-American in the US today?”
Many of the festival celebrants are third, fourth and fifth generation Italian-Americans, having long lost contact with Italian culture and their living relatives in the land of their ancestors.
“Without a sense and experience of modern Italy, why are these people celebrating?” asks Guercio. “Does the festival pander to a nostalgia for the past, a longing for the traditions of deceased relatives, or does it provide a tenuous connection to a way of life rapidly disappearing in the melting pot environment that is America today?”
The film will be screened with a feature presentation entitled, “Big Night,” which is the last installment of the Film Society’s “Buried Treasures” series.
Host of the series, JC Stinson, says: “You may have missed this great film when it first came out, but now you get a rare second chance to see it again. And this short documentary from Len is the perfect tie-in presentation.”
This Italian-themed night of films is sponsored by Cucina Rosa, one of the area’s fine Italian restaurants.
In the “Big Night” (showing June 28), Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and Secondo (Stanley Tucci) have journeyed from Italy to New Jersey in the mid-1950s, determined to make a killing with an authentic Italian restaurant. Preparations for a big night hosting bandleader Louis Prima present behind-the-scenes family comedy spiked with high drama. Highlighted by a strong supporting cast of Minnie Driver, Isabella Rossellini, and Allison Janney.
On June 21, the Film Society will also present “The Boxer.” Released after his 14-year prison sentence for IRA activities, 32-year-old Danny Flynn (Daniel Day-Lewis) returns to his old neighborhood and sees former-flame Maggie (Emily Watson), who has an unhappy marriage and now raises her son alone while her husband is in prison.
This program will be held at the Cape May Elementary on Lafayette Street beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the Film Society at 609-884-6700.
The Cape May Film Society hosts the Cape May Film Festival, which is New Jersey’s premiere film festival dedicated to the support and presentation of creative, challenging, groundbreaking, film/video works by New Jersey filmmakers.
The Society is also the region’s leading educational and cultural resource for youth and adult learners interested in all facets of the cinematic experience.