There's a feeling of authenticity at the center of La Terra Promessa (The Promised Land), a local documentary feature on the history and heritage of Italians in Western New York. The film played on Friday as part of the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival and is currently available on DVD at fiaswny.com.
Premiering in October 2007 as part of the Federation of Italian-American Societies of WNY's (FIASWNY) 100th anniversary, the film presents a wide range of talking-head interviews spliced with photographs, video clips, and the occasional dramatic re-enactment.
Various Italian icons of Western New York make appearances in the film. Former Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello discusses history. Controversial developer and businessman Carl Paladino speaks of his grandparents. FIASWNY president Donald Alessi, along with other FIASWNY officers, discusses old societies, landmarks and the immigrant experience.
Most of the interviewees share personal stories that range from the horror one woman experienced while watching her older relatives feast on roasted lamb's head, to an older man's recollection of an Irish/Italian gang fight that never came to be.
Italian or not, anyone with an interest in photography can enjoy this film, as directors Marc Odien and Joey Giambra (not to be confused with the controversial Erie County executive, though he does make a brief appearance) do a fine job of obtaining old photographs and film footage. The credits acknowledge that much of the footage came from family photo albums and personal collections, which makes for a nice mosaic of the times.
Of particular interest are the excerpts taken from The Buffalo News in the late 19th century, discussing the influx of immigrants. The News discusses their laziness, their isolated nature and their "foul odor" in articles that serve as a sad reminder of the bigotry of the past.
The soundtrack, written Don Menso, Bobby Mullatello and Joey Giambra and performed by Phil Simms, is similarly appropriate, giving the film a classic Italian vibe, similar to those found in many classic Godfather sequences.
Speaking of the mafioso, the organized crime issue is, refreshingly, not dwelled upon. It is properly put into historical context by saying "this is not indicative of all Italians." After a quick analysis from actor and Sopranos guest star Louis Mustillo (Sal Vitro), the film moves on. A quick mention is preferable to an extended discussion, given that most of the information is already common knowledge.
The film does have an edited-via-Windows-Movie-Maker quality to it, but the aura of a low-budget feature seems to fit within the film's focused scope, feeling like a personal project full of passion. And although the flow of the film is occasionally choppy, touching on so many subjects, La Terra Promessa is a good local and personal film that should satisfy those with an interest in WNY's long, diverse history.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
