Napoli - New York

In 1949, the Italian city of Naples lies in ruins after the devastation of WWII. Amidst the poverty and rubble-strewn streets of the city, two children, Carmine and Celestina, try to survive as best they can by helping each other. Like so many others, they dream of going to America. After a chance encounter with a steamship’s chef, one night, they secretly stow themselves away on a ship bound for New York to reach Celestina’s sister, who emigrated to America several years earlier. On board, Carmine and Celestina join the many Italian emigrants seeking a new, better life in America. On the run from the Italian purser (Pierfrancesco Favino), the pair eventually arrive in an unknown metropolis, which, after several misadventures, they eventually learn to call home. Based on an original screenplay by Federico Fellini and Tullio Pinelli from the 1980s, Napoli – New York is a compelling and hopeful coming-of-age story about the duality of dreams and disillusionment, the search for identity and the pursuit of a better life.

Born in Naples, Gabriele Salvatores is one of the founders of the Teatro dell’Elfo in Milan, for which he directed several avant-garde pieces until 1989. He is best known for his films Marrakech Express (1989), Turné (1990), Academy Award winner Mediterraneo (1991), and Casanova’s Return (IFF22). Since 2011, Salvatores has been the artistic director of the Milan Film Festival.