Orange County News

The OC Renaissance Foundation goes to the movies

County American Italian Renaissance Foundation (OCAIRF) office received a call from movie producer, director and writer James Hill to preview his new soon to be released movie entitled “The Streetsweeper.” Since the protagonist, his friends and family are cast as Italian American the producer hoped to get the Italian American community’s endorsement.

The movie screening was held on April 3 in South Orange County and admission was free. Many who attended were from several local Italian organizations, especially the Renaissance Lodge and Foundation. Judging from the applause and comments heard at the end of the movie, I have to say we loved it!

“The Streetsweeper” is a modern day drama about a father’s love and sacrifice. Enzo Morelli, a former opera singer, gave up a promising career on the stage to support his wife and only son, whom he loves with all his heart. To honor a promise he made to his dying wife he sold his house and car, cashed in his pension and now lives in the slum area of San Diego which he sweeps in order to pay for his beloved son’s tuition at Harvard.

The son comes home with an attitude and a rich girlfriend, only to learn some real lessons about life and love. We liked watching Enzo, the street sweeper, who portrays an elderly man proud of his Italian heritage as he blasts loud opera music into the city from his sweeper. While he cleans the streets he helps the homeless and others he considers less fortunate than himself. To know him is to love him.

The movie is enjoyable, the casting is believable and the film has a very “real” quality to it as we are made to feel the warmth of “paisano” loyalty and family values along with outrage at vulgar aspects of life and broken dreams. For better and worse, the ending brings out sensitivities and emotional turmoil that few movies ever attempt to elicit from audiences; however this film is unforgettable in its unusual theme of self-sacrifice which ultimately managed to be uplifting overall.

At the conclusion of the movie, James Hill and one of the actors from the movie, John Capodice, told us many interesting details about the making of the movie which took almost 10 years, and thanked us for coming to see it. More info and trailer found at www.thestreetsweeper.com. Due to be released in June.

Kathy DeSantis


	The OC Renaissance Foundation goes to the movies County American Italian Renaissance Foundation (OCAIRF) office received a call from movie producer, director and writer James Hill to preview his new soon to be released movie entitled “The Streetsweeper.” Since the protagonist, his friends and family are cast as Italian American the producer hoped to get the Italian American community’s endorsement. The movie screening was held on April 3 in South Orange County and admission was free. Many who attended were from several local Italian organizations, especially the Renaissance Lodge and Foundation. Judging from the applause and comments heard at the end of the movie, I have to say we loved it! “The Streetsweeper” is a modern day drama about a father’s love and sacrifice. Enzo Morelli, a former opera singer, gave up a promising career on the stage to support his wife and only son, whom he loves with all his heart. To honor a promise he made to his dying wife he sold his house and car, cashed in his pension and now lives in the slum area of San Diego which he sweeps in order to pay for his beloved son’s tuition at Harvard. The son comes home with an attitude and a rich girlfriend, only to learn some real lessons about life and love. We liked watching Enzo, the street sweeper, who portrays an elderly man proud of his Italian heritage as he blasts loud opera music into the city from his sweeper. While he cleans the streets he helps the homeless and others he considers less fortunate than himself. To know him is to love him. The movie is enjoyable, the casting is believable and the film has a very “real” quality to it as we are made to feel the warmth of “paisano” loyalty and family values along with outrage at vulgar aspects of life and broken dreams. For better and worse, the ending brings out sensitivities and emotional turmoil that few movies ever attempt to elicit from audiences; however this film is unforgettable in its unusual theme of self-sacrifice which ultimately managed to be uplifting overall. At the conclusion of the movie, James Hill and one of the actors from the movie, John Capodice, told us many interesting details about the making of the movie which took almost 10 years, and thanked us for coming to see it. More info and trailer found at www.thestreetsweeper.com. Due to be released in June. Kathy DeSantis
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