Monday April 8 from 19:00 to 21:00 EDT. Italian Charities of America, 83-20 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, New York 11373. Tickets here. Free Admission. Donations are accepted and tax-deductible, as Italian Charities of America is a registered section 501c3 nonprofit organization. Movie Showing of the docufiction film "Focaccia Blues" by Italian filmmaker Nico Cirasola and discussion to follow.

Focaccia Blues is introduced and discussed by Dr. Chiara De Santi, an Assistant Professor of Modern Languages at Farmingdale State College, SUNY, and a specialist of Italian cinema, language, and culture. Focaccia Blues is a 2009 docufiction by Italian filmmaker, Nico Cirasola, and it tells the story of a focacceria in Altamura, which was apparently instrumental to the closure of a McDonald’s in the same Apulian city.

After the screening, we will discuss the docufiction as the representation of campanilismo, namely the antagonism between two cities, a concept dating back to the Middle Ages. In the docufiction, campanilismo is depicted as competition between the U.S., representing the fast-food philosophy, and Italy, the birthplace of the Slow Food movement.

Italian Charities of America is sponsoring its very own Winter/Spring Italian Speaker Series. We will be featuring various topics pertaining to Italian history, art, culture, heritage and experiences. The event will be held on the 2nd floor of the Italian Charities of America building (elevator available). Free admission & open to the public. Complimentary efreshments, wine and snacks will be served. For inquiries call: 718-478-3100.