Pizza Shop: An Italian American Dream
With humor, insight, and compassion, this heart-warming documentary film, “Pizza Shop: An Italian-American Dream”, shares the journey of two Italian brothers who have run a successful restaurant in New Jersey for over 40 years. Here are the stories of the sacrifices they’ve made for their children, and what it really means to such a family if immigrants when the fulfill the American dream.
What is an immigrant’s typical experience in America? How does he envision the American Dream, how does he strive towards its promise of a better life for himself and his children? What does he sacrifice, and what does he gain?
This film introduces us to Charlie and Fred Osso, immigrant brothers from Calabria, Italy, who have run a successful pizzeria and restaurant in a strip mall in northern New Jersey for over 40 years. Emigrating from impoverished post-war Italy with a rudimentary elementary-school education, they had little chance for advancement. Through hard work, resilience, and the opportunities provided in the United States, they have thrived. Now in their seventies, they’re facing a forced relocation, construction of a new restaurant, their sons’ attempts to update the management style, and encroaching old age. But retirement is a dirty word to these workhorses: Charlie is serious and detail-oriented, with a short fuse and a soft center, while Fred is light-hearted and easy-going, a passionate chef and bon vivant.
With humor and compassion, filmmaker Antony Osso (Charlie’s son) explores how a “Mom-and-Pop Shop” can be a vital hub for a community, the sacrifices parents make for their children, and what it means for immigrants when they live out the American dream.
Genre: Business, Technology
Duration: 57mins
Awards: St. Louis International Film Festival, Golden Door International Film Festival, Ojai Film Festival, Manhattan Film Festival, Cape May Film Festival, Hoboken International Film Festival, Salento Film Festival Winner: Audience Award, Best Nj Film, Indie Street Film Festival
Rights: Inflight & Transportation – Worldwide, TV/VOD – EMEA
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