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Logline

In the late 1930s, up-and-coming Italian American singer Giovanni DiTommaso is offered the record deal of a lifetime, but only if he Americanizes his name. Surrounded by his loving and opinionated family, sparks fly as Giovanni must choose between his dream and his Italian identity. After all, it’s just a name…right?

Synopsis

L’intervallo follows up-and-coming Italian American singer Giovanni DiTommaso as he faces a life-changing decision. After years of performing at second-rate venues, he finally has the chance to make it big. During an intermission (“l’intervallo”), producers offer him a record deal, but there’s a catch. He would have to Americanize his name and adopt the stage name “Jackie Thomas.” Tensions rise, and the weight of the decision grows. It’s more than just a name change; it’s a denial of his Italian identity. Giovanni’s internal struggle is externalized through the colorful members of his family, who express their own fiery opinions. But the decision is his to make. What will he choose?

For fans of Italian American film and TV (The Sopranos, The Godfather, A Bronx Tale, anything by Martin Scorsese), for fans of Italian American music (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and the rest of the Rat Pack), and for anyone with a big, loving, and perhaps overbearing family, L’intervallo is the film for you.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Tom Cassese — Director/Writer/Producer
Tom is a filmmaker and animator born and raised in New York. For over a decade, his films have screened and won awards at dozens of festivals across the country and internationally. By day and often into the night, he works in the world of VFX, most recently on the Emmy-winning series Succession (HBO), Oscar-nominated films Rustin and Nyad (Netflix), The Alto Knights (WB) starring Robert DeNiro, Babygirl (A24) starring Nicole Kidman, and You’re Cordially Invited (Amazon) starring Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon.

Drawing from his own family’s experiences, as well as those of countless others, Tom is inspired to direct a film with Italian American identity as the central theme. Though fictional, L’intervallo depicts a reality that many immigrants faced when they came to this country – the Americanization of their name in order to gain acceptance in society. The pronunciation of my own family name “Cassese” had been Americanized to silence the final vowel. Lately, I’ve been using the original Italian pronunciation and hitting that final “e.”

Anthony Zaccone — Producer
Anthony Zaccone is an Emmy-winning producer currently based in Los Angeles by way of New York City. Along with his Primetime Emmy, he boasts two additional nominations for his work on the late night comedy show Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS), as well as a Producers Guild Award nomination. His work has been viewed by millions across the globe.

Anthony enthusiastically chose to take on L’intervallo as it is a beautiful and relatable story not only for Italian Americans, but also for any wave of immigrants seeking a new life in the United States. Anthony is himself the descendant of Italian and Irish immigrants who settled in Boston. He is named after his grandfather’s cousin, 27x Grammy-winning jazz pianist and composer Armando Anthony “Chick” Corea. His family likes to joke that there are two stars in the family, Anthony and Chick, and this usually comes right after a story about the one time Nonna made spaghetti and meatballs for Miles Davis.

Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti — Giovanni
Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti, Heidi Klum’s unforgettable 2016 Golden Buzzer recipient and finalist of America’s Got Talent (NBC), is an Italian-American crooner known best for his flawless vocals, larger than life personality, and his heart of gold. From a very young age Sal was influenced by his grandmother to love the musical genius of the classic crooner sounds of Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. He continues to sell out venues across the country and world, while building a large social media following within the Italian American community.

Big Joe Gambino — Lou
From acting to influencing, Joe’s magnetic presence radiates through every screen. Catch him on the Growing Up Italian podcast and watch him shine in movies and commercials alongside legends like Chazz Palminteri, Armand Assante, and William DeMeo. Born and raised in Astoria, Queens, Joe embodies the spirit of his city in every step he takes.

Aaron Kenny — Composer
Featured by ASCAP as a “Composer to Watch,” Aaron Kenny is an Australian composer based in New York City. He is the music assistant to 8x Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken and also to 3x Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwarz. Aaron’s most recent work can be heard in blockbuster films Wicked (Universal), live-action Disney films The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin, the animated fantasy film Spellbound (Netflix), as well as the musical adaptation of A Bronx Tale. Aaron’s work has been featured at film festivals around the world including Cannes and Tribeca. His original musical A Hanukkah Carol premiered last year in Washington, DC.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.