Watch Sister Italy

Set in post-9/11 America, Sister Italy is an independent drama film directed by Antonio Tibaldi and starring Emelise Aleandri, Natalie Allen and Ed Bartosik. The film combines elements of Italian-American cultural heritage, neo-realism and social commentary to deliver a story of family, identity and redemption. The protagonist, Giovanna (Emelise Aleandri) is a young Italian-American woman born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She is an artist, passionate about photography and loves taking pictures of her family and friends. In the aftermath of 9/11, Giovanna's life is turned upside down when her father is arrested on suspected terrorist links. Unable to cope with the stigma and shame of her family's predicament, Giovanna cuts herself off from her community and moves to Italy, hoping to find solace and a sense of belonging.

In Italy, Giovanna stays with her estranged Aunt Angela (Natalie Allen) and begins to learn about her family's roots in the small village of Puglia. She discovers that her grandmother was a survivor of World War II and the Holocaust, a fact that had never been discussed openly in her family. The more Giovanna learns about her heritage, the more she begins to understand herself and her place in the world.

Throughout the film, Giovanna grapples with issues of identity and belonging, struggling to reconcile her Italian heritage with her American upbringing. She forges unexpected relationships with new people, including a blind piano tuner who becomes her friend and her aunt's enigmatic lover, who teaches her about wine and the art of enjoying life.

Meanwhile, back in Brooklyn, Giovanna's younger brother Vito (Ed Bartosik) is desperate to prove his father's innocence and clear his family's name. Vito's storyline adds tension and urgency to the film, as he navigates the murky waters of the criminal justice system and risks alienating his family and friends in his quest for justice.

Overall, Sister Italy is a poignant and thought-provoking film about family, heritage and the power of art to heal wounds and bridge divides. It tackles themes of immigration, cultural identity and discrimination with sensitivity and nuance, while never losing sight of the human stories at the heart of the film. The performances of the lead actors are compelling, drawing the viewer into their lives and struggles, and the stunning Italian landscapes provide a gorgeous backdrop to the action. Although the film is not without flaws, it is a heartfelt and original work that deserves to be seen by a wider audience.

Sister Italy is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.