My story starts with my Grandfather Agatino Alibrandi born in 1900 and his immigration from the humble mountain town of Limina, Sicily to New York City in 1921. My name is Michael Cavalieri and I’m a proud Sicilian American. Agatino was the inspiration for my journey to find my Sicilian roots. It began up a steep mountain around 700 meters to the town of Limina in the province of Messina. I will never forget the long winding dirt roads that ascended to the top. On the way, tears trickled down my face as I got closer and closer to my roots. I could smell the fresh Sicilian air and see lemon trees in the distance. I remember hearing the bells of the goats rattling in the nearby mountains. As I looked out the passenger window, I knew I belonged here. It was destiny. Me and Limina. As we approached the town, I saw a big sign saying “Welcome to Limina.” I burst into tears. I asked my driver Vincenzo to stop. I got out of the car and jumped onto the cement wall next to the sign, reached up and touched it with both hands. My heart was racing and beating out of my chest. I remember saying “Grandpa, I made it. I made it for you and mom.” I’ll never forget the feeling I had in that moment. It changed my life forever. The red blood that runs deep through my veins is Sicilian and my heart is filled with Sicilian pride to the core. I finally made it home. This feeling filled an empty void I was searching for my whole life. I feel a deep sense of respect and admiration for my Sicilian roots and for the Sicilian people. They are my family now. That experience inspired me to dedicate my life to the Sicilian culture and to make my first film.
“Ritornato” the award winning film that I wrote, directed and starred in is based on that experience and shot entirely on location in Limina, Sicily the town where my Grandfather Agatino was born. I used only the local people in the village, not actors and shot my film in neo-realistic fashion. It’s a story of a man who goes back to his roots to fulfill a promise made to his dying mother and in turn finds out a family secret that will change his life forever.
I was compelled to tell this story, not only for me but, for all the immigrants and ancestors who paved the way for people like me to have a chance at a better life. We must remember it was not too long ago that we were considered slaves to some or the unwanted immigrant. But, the passion, the love, the hard work and the relentless pursuit of a dream of those immigrants paved the way for a new America. Remember our past because it informs our future.
I hope that my film can awaken and inspire other Sicilian-Americans or Sicilian filmmakers of my generation to go back, search for their roots and share their own stories. The Sicilian culture is very special and I believe we have much more to offer than to just tell the stereotypical kinds of stories of mafia etc. I will continue to try and portray Sicilian-Americans in a positive light through my films.