“Cavalieri takes us to the discovery, going in search of it himself, of an important piece of the social, human and economic history of our Sicily, which lasted over a century and which had as its backdrop the over 400 sulfur mines, located above all in the central part of the island, which at the time represented one of the most important economic activities and owned by the richest Sicilian bourgeois families.”

“The Sicilian-American director reconstructs all this with loving passion, also using photos and images of that time, but above all by going with his camera directly to the places where the skeletons of those mines, real industrial complexes, still exist as ruins. of buildings and large machinery rusty by time that rise from the depths of the earth towards the sky, and then collecting the direct testimonies of some elderly former miners and their families, in a setting of poignant beauty such as that of landscapes and countries within Sicily.”

“The leitmotif of the story that Cavalieri uses is not only the reconstruction of life and death in those mines, but also the constant emphasis he makes of the indomitable courage of those “carusi” and those miners, which he defines as his superheroes , and of the fundamental value that was at the basis of this very hard work and of the choice, once adults, not to emigrate: the family, and with the love for it the very strong determination to do everything necessary to bring home that miserable salary that was however indispensable for the economic sustenance of his family.”

“It was truly an indescribable emotion.”

“Seeing his work presented this evening in Centuripe, I don’t know if we were more moved by the autobiographical stories of the miners or by the refined sensitivity with which Michael loved, described, and eternalized the tears and sighs of this humanity.”

“A very moving story, it gave me chills. Let’s hope this never happens again.”

“After viewing your Documentary on the sulfur mines I was, unfortunately, too emotional to speak during the Q & A. Beautifully done and executed.”

“Beautiful movie! Thank you for honoring our ancestors!”

“It’s an excellent and important film.”

“Today after watching American director Michael Cavalieri’s documentary “Gate to Hell” and the testimonies of the “carusi” I am even more proud of my father. Great man, great worker, I owe you what I am today. To your sweat, toil. Honour to you daddy.” 

“A true masterpiece.”

” The Door to Hell is beautiful, exciting and above all good. Michael speaks from the heart. A poignant story that risked falling into oblivion, I had heard about the story and read something about it but tonight I was stunned by what was happening to the CARUSI. Good, good Michael, you did a job which will remain in the annals of history.”

“The film was beyond extraordinary. It is so much more than an explanation of just one part of Sicilian history. It is a tribute to and an elevation of the working man to the status so richly deserved. It is a moving testament to those brave people who worked for family, sacrificing themselves at every turn and by doing so, inspiring their families to live a better life.  A MUST SEE movie for anyone who loves Sicilia, humanity and a better future.”