Martin Scorsese explores his Sicilian origins in his 1974 documentary- Italianamerican

With all the sad news in America this week, I want to focus on the power of family in this Sunday's edition of our series Cinema & Cibo. A cinematic treasure from 1974 captures the strength and courage of our grandparents and great-grandparents who came to this country with dreams of providing a better life for future generations.

Martin Scorsese’s documentary Italianamerican features a candid interview with the director’s parents about their Sicilian origins, growing up in New York City's Little Italy and his mother’s Sunday sauce. Sitting around the kitchen table, Scorsese talks with his parents about about their struggles growing up and everything they did to get by financially while staying true to their cultural traditions.

After you watch it, check out Jim Jarmusch's question to Scorsese about the making of the film.. and find out why he related to Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront and East of Eden. Jarmusch asks about a shot in Scorsese's film which happens at 23:25. It really is a powerful moment. Listen to Scorsese's response and then go back to the documentary and check it out.

- Jeannine Guilyard

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