Martin Scorsese directed Italianamerican, a documentary film featuring his parents Catherine and Charles, who reflect on their experiences as the children of Italian immigrants in New York.
Over dinner at their Little Italy apartment on Elizabeth Street, Scorsese engages his parents in candid discussion about their lives, discussing such topics as their upbringing, family, religion, marriage, their Italian ancestors, post-war life in Italy, and the hardships of poor Sicilian immigrants.
Catherine also demonstrates her technique for cooking meatballs, a recipe later printed in the end credits of the film.
Italianamerican was received positively after its screening at the 1974 New York Film Fest
DVDs
On May 26, 2020, Criterion Collection released Scorsese Shorts, compilation of 5 early shorts by Scorsese:
Italianamerican,
American Boy: A Profile of Steven Prince,
The Big Shave,
What’s a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This?
It’s Not Just You, Murray!
