
CIAO ITALIA!
A film by VÉRONIQUE LAGOARDE-SÉGOT
It's the story of a mass migration which spanned for more than a century, the story of tens of millions of Italians fleeing poverty and leaving their country often without returning, forever shaping the destiny of future generations across borders. Today, populations of Italian descent reach 30 million in Brazil, 28 million in Argentina, 18 million in the United States and 4 million in France.
Ciao Italia! uncovers the dynamics shared by all migratory movements and provides a unique and much-needed perspective on modern migrations and the identity-based tensions arising across the Western world today. The story of Italian emigration - spanning continents and generations - has evolved into a powerful, almost mythical narrative: una bella storia, deeply cinematic and romanticized. But how did millions of Italians, who often faced brutal xenophobia and prejudice, manage to transform their collective experience into a legacy that is universally celebrated and cherished across the globe? Ciao Italia! unpacks this remarkable journey, shedding light on the timeless theme of belonging.