Narrated by no less than Greta Scacchi, this features interviews with two 90somethings who came here before the War (Celestina Mammone and Mary Marino), and then shows how this first wave of migrant women had to care for their families solo when their husbands were sent to internment camps, just in case they were ‘fascisti’ (they weren’t).
A series of prominent Italian-Australians are then featured: Carmela Rocca explains how men often had to “marry by Proxy” because, at first, single women weren’t allowed to leave Italy; Elina Gareffa talks of how she managed to set up Tabletop Wines; and Terry McCain (formerly international fashion model Maria Teresa Paliani) explains how she helped start a real cultural change.
MP Allegra Spender recalls her late Mum Carla Zampatti with great warmth and humour, and we’re reminded how this fashion icon first arrived here with nothing, and unable to speak English. Politician and activist Franca Arena is also very funny and tough as she discusses her career back at a time when the blokes didn’t appreciate having a woman so ready to speak her mind.
Finally, Tina (or Filippina or ‘Pina’) Arena appears to reminisce about her rise to fame, beginning at a very young age on (what else?) TV’s Young Talent Time. She also sums up the whole doco when she thoughtfully states, “Life is at its most beautiful when it’s diverse.”
Something we could all well do with remembering right now.
SIGNORINELLA: LITTLE MISS (PG)
(4 out of 5)
Signorinella: Little Miss is screening as part of the St. Ali Italian Film Festival 2025. Details: palacenova.com.au
