This tells a heartwarming and exciting account of a strong woman who managed to save so many orphan kids by being kind, persistent and having faith in God. Buildings bearing her name are worldwide facilities that still hold an enduring spirit of humanity in action. However, Mother Cabrini started on the journey to sainthood from 19th century Five Points Manhattan’s wretched slums where the Italians were “worst than rats” and dead bodies of forsaken poor could be found sprawled all over the streets. She was able to overcome pathetic racism, sexism and xenophobia only through a mission full of agonizing compassion. Your emotion will surge as you watch this captivating movie addressing the issues that continue dividing American society today.
Maria Francesca Cabrini (Cristiana Dell’Anna) writes letters to Pope Leo XIII (Giancarlo Giannini) from her orphanage in Lombardy, Italy. A nun who founded the Missionary Sisters of Heart Jesus, since childhood she has been fighting against seemingly insurmountable odds of abject poverty. After almost drowning as an adolescent, she experienced chronic destruction of her lungs throughout her life. Cabrini had a vision for opening orphanages that would provide food for starving children in China. An idea rejected by a male-dominated Vatican which did not appreciate women’s contribution towards Catholic service.
Mother Cabrini goes to Rome where she confronts his eminence directly. To these high-ranking cardinals her boldness is seen as insolence. Suddenly Pope Leo XIII shocks Mother Cabrini with new orders from Vatican City .The Pontiff shares word from Italian immigrants living in New York City specifically about their sufferings inflicted upon them by members of their own race rather than sharing the joy they had expected-the anticipated “street paved with gold” turned out be nothing but despair filled with racial hostility; Italians were subjugated just like unwelcome invaders whose existence provoked violence against them. The pope tells her to go west before going east. Their people were in a desperate situation across the ocean.
The sisters get to New York City on March 31, 1889. Nobody is there when they arrive. When Mother Cabrini sees the filth of the streets and the makeshift shacks built from tin scraps for the first time, she is horrified by it all .He coldly tells her to return home after saying goodbye to him Irish Archbishop Michael Corrigan (David Morse). He had written a letter when they were still in Italy telling them that their journey was cancelled. She doesn’t want to leave; her mission has been directly commanded by the Pope. She demands that they take her to Five Points orphanage. Upon seeing its rat-infested condition, all sisters are shocked at this sight of absolute degradation. Mother Cabrini points out hopelessness around them as an example for other sisters to see why they are here doing what they do: these are the people they are meant save.
Director Alejandro Monteverde (Bella, Sound of Freedom) knocks you down with a powerful opening scene The movie shows the grim reality of immigrant life in New York with brutal honesty.Hunger, fear and criminality prevail over abandoned areas within city’s borders.Mother Cabrini already accustomed to suffering is astounded by church’s feeble response towards problems faced by Italians.The mayor of this city was so ruthless having embraced corruption as a way through which his power could be sustaened.
Monteverde’s script, his second collaboration with Sound of Freedom writer Rod Barr, portrays Cabrini as a quick learner and no fool .She clearly gets it that she is looked down upon because she is both Italian and woman but pride comes before a fall.She has learned how not to take “no” for an answer; it works well for her though sometimes it takes time but it always does work eventually.Tatica.
Narratively, the success of this movie is greatly owed to the brilliant production design done by Cabrini. It is a contrast between Catholic Rome and modern New York City that Monteverde draws out to indicate the huge wealth disparities in such two places. But, these are not like those children in rags who live down in sewers, far away from richly ornate churches with their gaudy sculptures and fancy dress clergy. The moneyed Upper West Side and Midtown Manhattan never really had any contact with poor immigrants. They were ignored and reviled as a plague.
In her plain black nun’s outfit, Mother Cabrini is one herself. In order to express sorrow, Monteverde uses long tracking shots, panning camera angles and direct focus shots. Mother Cabrini leads an emotional funeral procession for a girl child who has died. Those who hate them must see the true state of the oppressed.
Cabrini does not overwhelm audiences with gloominess. Both sides of your heart will be touched by Monteverde’s smart manipulation of emotions over here.This miserable state directly influences Audrey’s own world.Two critical supporting characters are the primary vehicles for growth.Vittoria (Romana Maggiora Vergano), a sex worker controlled by a merciless pimp, and Paolo (Federico Ielapi), an angry young orphan, have tremendous character arcs that add context to Mother Cabrini’s efforts.For better or worse, we behold positive change and aim to emulate it.We see something much more profound; there was nothing preachy about it as would often come across on most religious doctrine glorifying Catholicism blindly.
Cristiana Dell’Anna delivers a star-making lead performance that one can only marvel at as she plays an Italian actress.Mother Cabrini is highly nuanced.Tough as nails but wearing her heart on her sleeve.It was her virtues matching up with unflinching action.There is also a strong physicality to Dell’Anna’s portrayal of Mother Cabrini.Mother Cabrini was frail, but never let the perceived weakness from naysayers take control of her life.Dell’Anna’s vocal and facial inflections, particularly eye expression, show indomitable spirit in her.The calmness and fortitude that surround her inspire all others present.Hollywood should be on the lookout for this burgeoning star.
Unfortunately, there has been no change in immigration problems since then. Presently, public discourse is untidy and full of hatred. The political message is lacking here according to Monteverde. There needs to be a film adaptation for Mother Cabrini’s philanthropic contributions. It also teaches compassion and kindness among other things. They are not simply anonymous people looking for something better whom all may hate.
Cabrini is a produced by Francesca Film Production NY, Lupin Film, and Lodigiano Film Development Inc. The movie will be available at theaters from March 8th through Angel Studios. On Angel Studios’ Cabrini page you can see show times as well as live-streams and even the Pay it Forward option related to the movie.There is a trailer below:
Watch free movies on Fmovies
