Reviewed by GREG KING
Documentary
Directors: Jason David McFadden, Angelo Pricolo, Shannon Swan
Much of modern Australia was built by migrants, especially Italian migrants who fled Europe in the 1930s hoping for a better life. Italian women, in particular, helped shape Australia’s food, fashion and culture, their experiences enriching the Australian way of life and shaping our multiculturalism.
This respectful and superb documentary explores the impact that many first and second generation Italians had on shaping contemporary Australia despite facing prejudice, suspicion and the language barrier. While most of the men were interred in detention camps during the war, the women managed the farms, maintained businesses, raised families and even opened restaurants introducing Australian palates to rich food and flavours, moving beyond their traditional meat and three vegetables diet. In many ways these women were pioneers, and the film celebrates their achievements and their legacy.
Signorinella: Little Miss comes from three filmmakers – American born actor James David MacFadden (Lords Of Dogtown, etc) and Australian filmmakers Angelo Pricolo and Shannon Swan, who gave us the 2013 documentary Lygon Street: Si Parlo Italiano. The filmmakers have drawn upon a wealth of archival material, photographs and extensive and revealing interviews to shape the film. They have cleverly employed AI effects and animation to bring some of the photographs to life.
Although many of the women interviewed are in the 90s they are still quite feisty when recounting their early experiences of life in Australia. Amongst those interviewed are singer Tina Arena, former politician and activist Franca Arena, fashion designer Carla Zampatti and her daughter Allegra Spender, Mariana Hardwick, Celestine Mammone, Maria Marino, Carmella Rocca, Elina Gareffa, and restaurateur Olimpia Bortolotto. There are many fascinating vignettes and stories about hardship and resilience which add to this rich history of European immigration. As Tina Arena remarks: “Life is most beautiful when it is diverse.”
The film is beautifully narrated by Greta Scacchi.
★★★☆
