“Andrea Doria: Are the Passengers Saved?, written and produced by survivor, Pierette Domenica Simpson of Michigan, directed by Luca Guardabascio of Rome, will air on CUNY Public TV on the following dates and times: CUNY TV. Sunday, July 25 @ 3pm - Monday, July 26, @ 6am, 12pm, 10pm. https://tv.cuny.edu/about.php for info on where and on what channel it will be aired.

“I’m very grateful to the prestigious City University of New York TV for airing our docufilm on the very days of the catastrophic collision and on the ensuing great sea rescue of 1956. Many of the survivors settled in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut where the CUNY signal reaches.” Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyFUiRrE230 

Additionally, Simpson’s interview about the catastrophic sea collision is slated to broadcast on “The Italian American Podcast” in July around time of the 65^th anniversary of July 25-26. It can be heard on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ItalianAmericanPodcast 

Ms. Simpson will also appear on Facebook during livestreaming of the 65^th anniversary event on Sunday, July 25 beginning at 2:00pm. https://www.facebook.com/events/192921039323797?ref=newsfeed

Simpson’s work is based on a true story: her immigration to America, from Italy, to meet her mother who she had not seen for 8 years. Pierette was only 9 when accompanied to Detroit by her grandparents. Their American dream was interrupted by the tragic collision at sea between the Swedish motorship, Stockholm and the Italian liner Andrea Doria on the foggy night of July 25, 1956. The experience, and later discovering that her captain crew and Italian shipbuilders were unjustly maligned for the tragedy inspired Simpson’s literary and cinematic works.

“Andrea Doria: Are the Passengers Saved?” is based on Simpson’s book, Alive on the Andrea Doria: The Greatest Sea Rescue in History, and the Italian version, L’ultima notte dell’Andrea Doria. The docufilm and director have won about two dozen awards/recognitions, including “Best feature documentary” from the Salerno International Film Festival”. On May 29, the Asti International Film Festival bestowed the “Best Direction” award to director Luca Guardabascio.

“It’s now 17 years after I began my research to publish a book, which culminated in a docufilm. I had very little experience in both authoring and cinema, but the love of my Italian heritage drove my passion to learn both crafts. I was driven to confront the historical record and vindicate my captain, crew, and shipbuilders!” exclaims Simpson.

The docufilm has been screened in the U.S., Canada, and Italy—including at the Italian Parliament. Last summer it aired on PBS in Michigan and Canada.

Synopsis: In 1956, nine-year-old Piera survived the horrific Andrea-Doria-Stockholm sea collision with her grand-parents while immigrating to America to meet Piera’s mother. Piera, now Pierette in her 60’s, becomes the on-camera narrator who leads us to relive the struggle of extreme survival on the Atlantic Ocean, and who staunchly confronts the scientific and political elements that led to the “most catastrophic and controversial sea collision in history”. The docufilm, “Are the Passengers Saved?”, written and produced by Pierette Simpson, features vivid dramatization filmed in Italy and the U.S., as well as archival footage. Interviews with maritime experts and fellow survivors provide supporting evidence which finally uncovers the true story leading to a vindication of the Andrea Doria captain and crew. 

For further information on Simpson’s publications and docufilm, see www.pierettesimpson.com and visit www.andreadoriamovie.com