Special screenings of Un sogno italiano continue. Directed by Fausto Caviglia, this documentary tells the story of Italians who emigrated to Germany starting in the 1950s. The screening will take place on Thursday, June 11, at 9:00 p.m. at the Cinema Sivori in Genoa, with director Fausto Caviglia and Giorgia Barzetti, curator of the MEI – National Museum of Italian Emigration, in attendance.
Through extraordinary archival footage, the documentary traces the history of hundreds of thousands of Italians who, beginning in 1955, left their hometowns and families to seek a better future in Germany. Produced to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Italian-German labor agreement signed on December 20, 1955, the film recounts a pivotal chapter in our national history: between 1955 and the mid-1970s, over 500,000 Italians were hired in West Germany, which after the war desperately needed labor to sustain its industry. They often came from small villages in the south plagued by poverty and were willing to do anything to secure a future for themselves and their loved ones. The new arrivals faced difficult living conditions, racism, and a sense of disorientation. Some returned to Italy, but many ended up settling in their new country, contributing to Germany’s profound transformation and giving rise to Italian-German communities that remain vibrant and deeply rooted to this day. Through their efforts, they contributed to the reconstruction of both countries, laying the groundwork for what we now recognize as European citizenship.
The documentary benefits from the collaboration of the National Museum of Italian Emigration, which supported the production in its historical and documentary research, providing expertise, sources, and previously unpublished archival materials. Through firsthand accounts from the protagonists still alive today, never-before-seen archival materials, and film clips, Un sogno italiano conveys the full emotional power of extraordinary personal stories, woven from solidarity, ingenuity, dignity, and pride.
It is particularly significant that the screening is taking place at Cinema Sivori, Italy’s oldest movie theater, which for over a century has told stories and witnessed the changes in society. An opportunity to foster a dialogue between memory, cultural heritage, and new generations, so that these stories continue to be known, understood, and shared.
Seating is limited and reservations are required at the link: https://www.eventbrite.it/e/un-sogno-italiano-tickets-1991053772431?aff=oddtdtcreator
