Emanuele Crialese

Emanuele Crialese’s career is the perfect example of the American Dream.  In an interview, http://www.newyorkcool.com/archives/2007/May/interview_Golden_Door.htm with Frank J. Avella, Crialese admitted that his “wanting to make this movie has a lot to do with my personal experiences being an immigrant hoping to change your life in America”.  He studied film directing at New York University as well as worked with some American producers.  

In the same interview, Crialese said that he was fascinated by the postcard (from early in the 20th century) “I saw propaganda already portraying America as the land of opportunity”.  I have a hard time believing that people of the time were so naive.  I understand that some people think that anything is possible, but huge chickens and rivers of milk are pretty far fetched.  Is it possible that the phrase “money growing on trees” came from the best American advertising ever?  

Immigrants of the time were either very brave or just plain crazy.  They had absolutely no guarantees.  First was no guarantee that they would even live through the voyage.  The second was not knowing what would greet them on the other side of the ocean.  Life must have been very difficult in their countries.  My father in law, who would have been 88, used to tell me stories of when his grandfather came to America from Ireland.  He was greeted by signs that said, “Irish Need Not Apply”.  It was very difficult to come to a foreign land and be hated immediately. Thank Goodness it only lasted 1 generation for the Irish.  

It was brilliant how Crialese showed two very different endings for the same family.  I think it also follows the theory of what you think is real becomes reality.  His portrayal of the old Italian woman was spot on.  Fortunata was not afraid of anything and was not going to take any shit from anyone.  Although she wanted to be supportive to her son, she knew her place was in Sicily.  On the other hand, Salvatore had a conviction that he was supposed to be in America, so it was going to turn out well for him.

I was very disappointed in the ending of the movie.  I would have liked to see how everything worked out for the family.  There is hope.  My favorite part of the interview is where Avilla asked Crialese what would happen in the sequel.  Crialese responds,  “I would love to make a sequel that is different completely in tone.  A comedy.  Salvatore drops Charlotte Gainsbourg because she can’t cook and he realized he can have many other women.  The two brothers become silent film stars...”  It would work for me.  This is something I would love to see.  A comedy would be drastically different and completely unexpected.  Clearly, from that comment, Crialese has a sense of humor and could pull it off.  I also like the idea that the boy who almost got turned away because he doesn’t speak, lives the American Dream by not speaking!