Movie star ‘Cabrini’ affirms that the dignity of migrants must be our guiding light

“As a southern Italian, the issue of migration is of great concern to me. Southern Italians have always migrated throughout history, especially during World War II and in my family there are people who have migrated and I am a migrant myself,” said Ms. Dell’Anna first special screening of his film at the Palace of Nations in the Swiss city.

Inspired by the true story of the Italian nun Mother Francesca Cabrini, who was tasked by Pope Leo XIII with helping vulnerable migrants come to the United States at the turn of the last century, the gripping story Hers offers a disturbing perspective on discrimination and racism reserved for the poor. and black Italian migrants who had not yet learned English in the already booming city – where Italian street children were denigrated as “monkeys”.

Painfully accurate

“It’s very accurate – in fact, this particular photo I’m thinking of, of some children, sitting by a small wall – it was inspired by a photo taken at the time, ” Miss Dell’Anna said.

“So it’s very accurate and everything you see in the movie actually happened at some point.”

Despite severe lifelong illness and with the help of other Italian nuns and volunteers in the notorious and often dangerous Five Points slums, Mother Cabrini adopted orphans, fed them, wear and educate them.

She was canonized for her work in 1946 – the first US citizen to be canonized as a saint.

“We’ve forgotten how to inspire, and I just think Cabrini can support that idea a lot because it’s a very compelling, true story.”

Miss Dell’Anna said UN News at the event co-organized by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), Permanent Mission of Italy and Permanent Observer of the Holy See.

“And I just think that starting a dialogue in that sense and being here, can be a good starting point to try and rebuild certain ideas, ideals and principles that will be the needle.” guide us in everyday life for everyone. ”

Transaction location

She added: “I often ask myself, ‘Where do migrants stand today in a world where we – it’s easier to trade goods and it’s easier for things to move around the world than it is for people? ‘ Perhaps we should reflect on these issues and understand where we place humanity in relation to things.”

The latest United Nations estimates indicate that there are at least 281 million international migrants around the world, a number that has increased over the past five decades, with people continuing to leave their home countries. due to poverty, conflict and climate change.

Ms. Dell’Anna asserts that by accepting the divisive and hateful rhetoric that this age-old phenomenon continues to inspire, we have forgotten our humanity.

“I think maybe we should learn a lesson from this movie. I’m afraid that the migrants are not living really well, especially in the south of Italy, in the whole country. The way we treat migrants has completely changed and they have become more of a threat than an integral part of society.”

Solemn approach

Thanks to a thoroughly researched backstory that covers Mother Cabrini’s life and campaign work in the northern Italian countryside to her struggle against the government – and the level hostility High in New York, Cabrini “gave us a chance — gave me a chance — to tell a little bit about what we went through when we emigrated. Now, we are the ones who really deny the right to human dignity, which, in my opinion, is a universal right and needs to be recognized as such,” Ms. Dell’Anna explained.

When asked what Mother Cabrini herself might think of the film depicting her mission, with its stunning and at times soul-destroying cinematography, Ms. Dell’Anna replied confidently: “She would satisfaction as we tell the story. Not because of her, but because of the other big main character in the story, which is the migrant.

“She would be really pleased, because this is a very relevant and topical issue… she would probably say something like – she’s very pragmatic – she would say, ‘Let’s move on .’”