Film: CABRINI
Directed By: Alejandro Monteverde
Starring: Cristiana Dell’Anna, John Lithgow, David Morse, and Giancarlo Giannini
Running Time: 145 Minutes
Rating: M
The film delves into the incredible and powerful true story of Frances Xavier Cabrini, a woman who challenged the establishment and became the greatest social entrepreneur of the 19th century.
This cinematic piece portrays the factual events surrounding one of the most celebrated saints of our time, Francesca Cabrini. An Italian immigrant arriving in New York City in 1889, she was met with disease, crime, and impoverished children.
Cabrini embarks on a daring mission to persuade the hostile mayor to secure housing and healthcare for society’s most vulnerable. Despite facing language barriers and poor health, she employs her entrepreneurial spirit to construct an empire of hope, unprecedented in its scope. The film deeply resonated with me, showcasing the frustrations of witnessing how she and her fellow Italians were perceived and treated, particularly Cabrini’s courageous fight against these injustices.
Director Alejandro Monteverde, known for his award-winning work on “Sound of Freedom,” explains that he was drawn to depict Cabrini’s story due to its underdog narrative on an epic scale.
This is the tale of a woman defying insurmountable odds in a male-dominated world. Coming to America with nothing—a woman in an era devoid of female voices, an Italian when Italians were marginalized—Cabrini managed to erect one of the most significant business empires in history. She stood on par with figures like Rockefeller, but with a crucial distinction: Cabrini’s empire served only the forgotten and the outcast. The film highlights the power of a woman’s voice to conquer anything—from facing the most dangerous elements of Five Points to challenging the highest echelons of New York politics. Cabrini never wavered.
Monteverde has done justice to this narrative in every aspect. As a migrant himself, his personal connection likely fueled his portrayal of this story.
In her 34 years, Mother Cabrini established an astonishing 67 hospitals, orphanages, and schools. Her tireless efforts were propelled by a fervent dedication to serving Jesus in all she did, and her legacy endures to this day. Canonized in 1946 by Pope Pius XII, she became the first American citizen to be named a saint.
Mother Cabrini passed away in Chicago on December 22, 1917, at the age of 67 due to chronic endocarditis, but her impact and influence continue to resonate worldwide.
This film delivers a profoundly moving narrative that serves as a reminder of the importance of emulating Cabrini’s unwavering dedication and resilience. She was an extraordinary individual committed to her mission, declaring, “The world is too small for what I intend to do.”
