All Aboard the ‘SS Regina d’Italia’ (Queen of Italy)

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‘Dall’Italia All’Australia’
‘From Italy to Australia’ (Migrant Film - 1924)

See previous MESSAGE for additional information.

A Greek Festival 2009 EVENT

http://www.greekfestivalofsydney.com.au/festival09/home.htm

‘Dall’Italia All’Australia’, literally meaning ‘From Italy to Australia’ is a silent film shot by Italian Film Director Angelo Drovetti in 1924, that chronicles the voyage of the Regina d’Italia (Queen of Italy) - one of three passenger ships first built for the Lloyd Sabaudo Line at the turn of last century.

This historical silent film is one of the earliest known footage to show the migrant voyage of a steamship from Italy to Australia.

In September 1924, this vessel brought 504 migrants from southern Europe to the South Seas. The passengers included some 130 Hellenes, mostly from Kythera, Castellorizo and Cyprus.

The film also showcases the panoramic views witnessed by Italian, Yugoslav, Arabic and Jewish migrants as they stood atop the deck of the old steamer during their seven-week world odyssey from Genoa to Australia, by way of Egypt and Sri Lanka, arriving in September 1924.

Drovetti went ashore in Colombo, Sri Lanka to film the place and its people, and later Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

As a result, some remarkable footage appears in this film, including Sydney Harbour (before the bridge and Opera House), Circular Quay, Martin Place and Taronga Park Zoo.

While almost one-third of Dall’Italia All’Australia comprises footage of this nation in the 1920s it had never before been seen specifically by an Australian Hellenic audience. This was because Drovetti remained aboard the Regina d’Italia at its final port of Brisbane, returning to Italy with his precious film.

It was fist screened in Milan in 1925, only to disappear into a vault for the next eight decades. This screening will be the first time Dall’Italia All’Autralia will be shown to an Australian Hellenic audience in conjunction with the Sydney Greek Festival.

The film will be accompanied by live music performed by ‘The Viaggiatori’ (The Voyagers) including Kavisha Mazzella (Aria award winning singer, guitar, accordion), Irine Vela (bouzouki, mandolin guitar) David De Santi (accordion) and Mark Holder-Keeping (saxophone, clarinet). They perform old Italian and Hellenic folk songs and tunes including tarantellas, mazurkas and waltzes. Their rich interpretation of Italian and Hellenic music from the 1700’s to the present creates a charming old world feel.
Rare archival material and historic books from the Hellenic diaspora mostly dating from the early twentieth century will be on display on the night showcasing migrant settlement in Australia.

The film was discovered by Melbourne journalist and writer, Tony De Bolfo, during research for his book ‘In Search of Kings’ that chronicles another passenger ship from the same line called ‘Il Re d’Italia’, (The King of Italy) - 1927.

Tony was determined to deliver ‘Dall’Italia All’Australia’ to an Australian audience based on the belief that the film not only commanded enormous Australian historical value, but that it would resonate with the many Australians who have empathy for the courage of migrants and who share the excitement in being part of a most unique event.

1 Sydney Screening Only:

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

Date: Tuesday 26 May

Time: 7.30pm for 8pm

Venue: The Factory Theatre
105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville

Cost: $15 + Booking Fee
(Refreshments and canapes included)

Contact: 9550 3666
www.factorytheatre.com.au

Tony De Bolfo, journalist and author, will provide an introduction to the film.

Dr Panayiotis Diamadis, a senior history teacher at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Sydney, and history lecturer at the University of Technology will provide the historic context of the migrant voyage recorded in the film.

For interviews with Tony De Bolfo and historian Dr Panayiotis Diamadis please contact:

Dianna Fatseas, by email