Fedeltà: Soldati. Prigionieri. chronicles the experiences of Italian prisoners of war (POWs), mostly captured in North Africa and Sicily, who are sent to Letterkenny Army Depot outside Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, during World War II. The film documents the POWs’ journey from war to peace and shows how their impact is still felt today. Shot in both the United States and Italy, the documentary includes interviews with family members of the prisoners and utilizes original archival documents and footage from the families and the US Army as well as other sources associated with the Italian Service Units, those Italian soldiers who renounced Fascism and agreed to collaborate with the United States after Italy’s surrender in 1943.
In conjunction with the Calandra Institute’s exhibit about World War II Italian POW artistry in the United States.
Post-screening discussion led by Joseph Sciorra, John D. Calandra Italian American Institute.
Delve into the multifaceted narratives of World War II Prisoners of War (POWs) as their descendants share compelling insights during this roundtable discussion. Through a hybrid format blending online and in-person participation, this event offers a unique opportunity to explore the scholarly, artistic, and visual representations of their fathers’ and grandfathers’ captivity experiences.
Speakers: Yemane Demissié, New York University; Laura E. Ruberto, Berkeley City College; Mark Pedri, United States; Anton Pulvirenti, Australia; Elisa Longarato, Italy
This event is part of a series on “Memory, Memories, and Memorialization of WWII Italian Captivity” organized by Elena Bellina (New York University) and Giorgia Alù (The University of Sydney) and co-sponsored by NYU’s Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò, The University of Sydney, The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute (Queens College, CUNY), and the Centre for Italian Modern Art (CIMA). The events aim to investigate how World War II Italian POWs have narrated their long captivity experiences, as well as how these narratives have been recollected and memorialized in Italy, America, Australia, Asia, and Africa.
Those attending in person please RSVP by calling (212) 642-2094.
For online participation, please register in advance for the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MrgGaW3QS8ieLZk0tHcv-Q
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
For details, please contact Elena Bellina (elena.bellina@nyu.edu); Giorgia Alù (giorgia.alu@sydney.edu.au)
