The New York
City Independent Film Festival has outdone itself this year in making its
Italian selections. From full length to documentary to short, there is a
wonderful diversity to the Italian films that will be presented this year.
Click here for the festival’s complete list of Italian films.
I met
Cristian Piazza many years ago in the early days of Lincoln Center’s annual
film series, Open Roads: New Italian Cinema. We used to see each other every
year at the screenings and chat about the films and contemporary Italian cinema
in general. So, it’s great to see him following his dream of filmmaking and
having so much success. I asked Piazza about the making of this film and his
own experience with immigration.
I had to tell these stories. I wanted to build an imaginary bridge between the new generation of immigrants and the previous one, who have definitely paved the road for us. I’m an immigrant who moved here and tried to accomplish something. It’s close to home.
Do you ever have regrets?
I was
thrilled to see a documentary in the lineup that I have been following for a
while now on social media. Cristian Piazza’s “Waiting” is the story of three
Italian Immigrants aiming for a second chance at life in New York City.
Floriano Pagliara is a Professional Boxer looking for self-validation. After a crushing defeat back in Italy, he needs to regain his confidence. So, he finds a new trainer and gets a shot at a World Title against an American Champion. And a new adventure begins.
Floriano Pagliara is a Professional Boxer looking for self-validation. After a crushing defeat back in Italy, he needs to regain his confidence. So, he finds a new trainer and gets a shot at a World Title against an American Champion. And a new adventure begins.
Paolo
Buffagni is a former actor without any musical instruction. He reinvents
himself as an Opera Singer at 30 after moving to New York. With little support
for his new venture, he is constantly hesitant about his real potential and
talent. His first major role is in Verdi’s “La Traviata.” With this new
opportunity, he searches for the recognition he couldn’t find back home.
Paolo
Inferrera ultimately wants to open a restaurant in New York. His former family lifestyle
and his entitled way of living fell apart with his parent’s divorce. He is an aspiring
entrepreneur that falls short, hitting rock bottom. He acknowledges addiction
and fights against it. He realized that the outside stimulation was a fence to his
inner development. He tries to redeem himself in order to find his true
Identity.
In an official
statement about the film, Piazza calls “Waiting” a story about second chances.
Being an Immigrant implies a resetting in habits: a new language, a new culture
and dealing with circumstances differently.” He goes on to explain how “at
first you are exhilarated and in awe because everything is new, until you
realize that the past, and all things familiar, are pretty much a memory and
nothing else.”
On immigration
in New York, he says the city “has always been considered an Island of
opportunity; it has been home for many generations of Italian immigrants since
the late 1800’s. It’s a place to prove and confront yourself in every possible
field.”
Cristian Piazza, Photo by Patrik Andersson |
Why did you want to tell this story?
Let me
paraphrase one of my teachers: Stories are about discovery and worlds that are
unknown to the audience. That’s first and second once you’re there and see the
humanity of your subjects or characters, you established empathy and therefore
you find yourself.I had to tell these stories. I wanted to build an imaginary bridge between the new generation of immigrants and the previous one, who have definitely paved the road for us. I’m an immigrant who moved here and tried to accomplish something. It’s close to home.
Would you say the story is
autobiographical then?
Nothing is
entirely autobiographical and yet everything derives from experience and
experience is the ultimate personal element of the self.
Opera Singer Paolo Buffagni |
What makes these particular cases
unique?
They’re
unique in this particular context; but they’re presenting a universal theme,
which is having a second chance. I was very specific when I decided to cast my
subjects. I was looking for middle class, Italian immigrants with no particular
privileges, working in restaurants. What was also unique was to put them
together in one movie. It’s a demographic that is hardly acknowledged. I know a
few Italians that refuse to call themselves immigrants. They call themselves
“expat”, “italiani all’estero”…etc.
What do you feel are the challenges
facing immigrants today?
Themselves.
Meaning that every person will carry his or her own fears and hopes. It’s up to
each one of us to carry on or give up what we are. Adapting to a new culture is
always a challenge. Letting go is a huge factor when adapting, otherwise you are
constantly comparing both realities.
Where in Italy are you from?
It’s a
million dollar question. My parents and grandparents are Sicilian from a small
town in the Province of Agrigento. My mom spent some years in Livorno and part
of my family stayed there. Home is where your memories are and I’m lucky to
have more than one.
Why did you decide to move to the United
States?
I wanted to
be in a place where things were happening. There’s an image I use of a kid
watching airplanes passing over his head. That kid wanted to move to a place
where those airplanes were landing and taking off. Make sense?
I came here
by myself. I’ve spent most of my life between Venezuela, Italy, Argentina and
the United States. I’ve experienced different realities, all very enriching.
Each society moves at its own pace, has its own mechanism even if most places
in the world seem to be going in one direction. It’s hard to change customs.
Every place is facing the consequences of their particular history.
Cristian Piazza discussing "Waiting" |
Definitely
Not! I try to live in the present as much as possible. I’ve learned so many
things; I’ve met incredible human beings. I’ve grown up as an individual and
professionally. It wouldn’t have been the same. Success is a very tricky word.
I don’t need to use it. What do we mean by success? I think there are many elements to stay
afloat in filmmaking, for example. I’m going to name a few: Craft, persistence,
vision, the willingness to learn and a second skin to deal with rejection and
at least one espresso a day! “Waiting” is the story of many; it’s probably a
mirror of our own ride. Second chances are hard to take and hard to recognize
too… starting all over again is already a victory.
How have audiences been reacting to the
film?
Very good. I
notice that people want to come and talk to us instead of leaving in a hurry
after the screening. That’s a good sign.
Click here to stream “Waiting” on Vimeo.
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