Jersey City, N.J. – Saint Peter’s College will present the documentary film Pane Amaro (Bitter Bread): The Italian American Journey from Despised Immigrants to Honored Citizens on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 as part of the nationally celebrated Italian-American Heritage Month. This free screening, which is open to the community, will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Roy Irving Theatre on the College’s Jersey City campus.
Pane Amaro documents the Italian-American immigrant experience from 1880 through World War II using historical photographs, film footage and interviews with scholars, experts and members of the Italian-American community. The purpose of the film is to bridge the communication gap between native Italians and Italian-Americans, as well as to document the little-known history about immigration that isn’t included in today’s classrooms or textbooks.
“I am always looking for new and innovative material to help our ‘majority-minority’ student body, as well as the College and local communities understand the area’s rich cultural past and present,” noted Dr. Enid LaGesse, director of multicultural affairs for Saint Peter’s College. “My own understanding of the immigrant experience in the New York area was certainly deepened by viewing this documentary.”
A tribute to Italian-American history, the film was produced by Gianfranco Norelli and his wife, Suma Kurien Norelli of Eurus Productions, Inc.; they will be available to answer questions from the audience following the presentation of the film.
Saint Peter’s College, founded in 1872, is a Jesuit, Catholic college in the liberal arts tradition located in the heart of Jersey City, N.J., with a branch campus in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and course offerings on the Jersey City Waterfront and at various corporate sites throughout New Jersey. Educating over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 50 programs, Saint Peter’s College is committed to academic excellence and individual attention, preparing students for a lifetime of learning, leadership and service in a diverse and global society.