Director Alejandro Monteverde Calls CABRINI ‘the Ultimate Underdog Story’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Alejandro Monteverde explained why he resonated with the story of Francesca Cabrini and why he believes her story is still so relevant today.
“I hadn’t known anything about her. I was shocked, because she had such a strong impact in this country, and in the world,” Monteverde told Deadline. “I referred to her ass the Forgotten Saint, because I’m Catholic, and even as a Catholic, I didn’t know about her.”
“So, in many ways it was kind of refreshing, because when I read about her life, what I heard was the ultimate underdog story. She was a warrior. She was a woman who came to this country as an immigrant herself at a time when women were completely voiceless,” he continued. “She defied all these institutions that were run by men.”
CABRINI ” is based on the inspiring true story of a woman’s fight for humane treatment, better living conditions, and increased compassion for immigrant orphans at the turn of the 20th century,” Angel Studios reported.
“She had to fight. She was like a superhero. She was even wearing a cape. I came to this country the same way, with no money, with a lot of dreams,” he added. “So, I was like, wow, yeah. I realized that her life was very cinematic, and I got really excited. And then that’s when we dove in to develop the vision of the film.”
Movieguide® praised the movie’s strong Christian worldview and emphasis on the Gospel. Part of Movieguide®’s review reads:
CABRINI is a powerful story about Mother Cabrini’s love for the afflicted in America, especially her fellow Italian immigrants. The movie has a strong Christian, moral worldview. It stresses that faith overcomes fear, and that love is stronger than violence. It’s also steeped in Catholic imagery, but features prayer and the reciting of God’s Word. The astounding cinematography, compelling performances, and well-paced story result in an inspiring portrayal of the real-life saint. Due to some violence and adult themes and scenes, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger viewers.
As Monteverde worked on CABRINI, the story began to take on a life of its own, and he often found himself following what worked best for the story, rather than fitting it into his vision for the movie.
“This was a project that kind of started to have its own voice. And at one point – it sounds like a cliché – I started to listen to the project,” Monteverde explained.
Creating a movie faithful to Cabrini’s story worked well for Monteverde because her story is still very relevant today. Immigration is just as polarizing a topic as it was 100 years ago in America and is something Cabrini had to overcome.
“Archbishop Corrigan tells Cabrini, ‘You’re never going to fix this problem. This problem is here now, and will be here 100 years from now.’ This country is built by immigrants and immigration is part of the DNA of this country. We’re living it today,” Monteverde said.
“That’s why the movie, in my humble opinion, is very relevant to what’s happening today,” he continued. “[Francesca] Cabrini was about the immigrant, the human being. She’s called the patron of immigrants. She left a mark on the life of immigrants here in America.”
CABRINI looks to build on the success of Monteverde’s previous movie, SOUND OF FREEDOM, which was a breakout success last year and won a Teddy Bear Award® at the Movieguide® Gala. Monteverde continues bringing uplifting stories to the big screen and is now beginning work on a project highlighting the “most well-known woman who ever walked this earth.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Monteverde:
SOUND OF FREEDOM director Alejandro Monteverde is opening up about his upcoming movie CABRINI.
CABRINI takes viewers through the life of “an Italian immigrant who arrives in New York City in 1889 and is greeted by disease, crime, and impoverished children. Cabrini sets off on a daring mission to convince the hostile mayor to secure housing and healthcare for society’s most vulnerable. With broken English and poor health, Cabrini builds an empire of hope unlike anything the world had ever seen.”
Based on a true story, Francesca Cabrini would become “the first American saint of the Catholic Church and one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs in American history…Cabrini devoted her life to fighting for the happiness and health for individuals in the margins of her society.”
Monteverde connected with the film because he, like Cabrini, came to America with nothing.
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