Film screening and Q & A with the director.
Appetizers, desserts, and no-host bar.

Synopsis by Filmmaker, Michael Cavalieri: "La Porta Dell'Inferno" (The Door to Hell) is a true story of courage, sacrifice, and the love of family. This documentary chronicles the inspirational stories of some of the last surviving men who worked in the sulfur mines in central Sicily. These Marvel superheroes, as I call them, give us a deep insight into the slave-like conditions they were forced to work under by private ownership for many years up until 1963. Their courage, will, and determination is the centerpiece of this film as they discuss their families and relentless pursuit to keep them together. There was only one choice they could make if they wanted to keep their families together; it was immigration or the sulfur mines...

Michael’s new award-winning documentary film, "LA PORTA DELL'INFERNO" just premiered in Chicago and New York at the Columbus Citizens Foundation. This film has touched many Sicilian immigrants around the world. He is so honored and privileged to have done this film. He is set to go on a film tour in 2023 across the United States and Canada.

About the Filmmaker:

Michael Cavalieri is an actor and first time writer/director originally from New York. His directorial debut, “RITORNATO,” which he also stars in, was awarded a special grant by the Russo Brothers (the Directors of Avengers: Endgame--the highest grossing film of all time), by the National Italian American Foundation and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America.

Michael made his acting debut starring opposite Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank in Columbia Pictures' "The Next Karate Kid." Since that debut, he has had supporting roles in numerous features including acclaimed director Walter Hill’s "Last Man Standing," starring Bruce Willis and Christopher Walken.

Cavalieri has received critical acclaim for starring roles in many award-winning festival films such as "The Stonecutter," winner of the Santa Barbara Film Festival; "The Kingdom of the Blind," directed by the writer of the Academy Award-winning film "Green Book;" "My Brother Jack," winner of The Naples Film Festival and The Hamptons Film Festival starring opposite Marco Leonardi from "Cinema Paradiso;" "West of Brooklyn" opposite Joe Mantegna; and "The Streetsweeper," which won the Salento Film Festival and the Los Angeles Italian Film Festival.

Amici magazine reviewed Michael’s performance in "The Streetsweeper" as "a brilliant display of emotional range."

LA Times critic Kevin Thomas hailed Michael’s performance in "The Stonecutter" as "outstanding…he has terrific presence and focus. His performance lures us into this increasingly complex and provocative drama."

Don Franken, director of The Method Film Festival said, "Michael’s performance lights up the screen, fills the screen larger than life. He’s an exciting talent to watch."

Michael has also guest starred on numerous hit TV shows including SOPRANOS, ER, and NYPD BLUE.

Film Screening: La Porta Dell'Inferno

A documentary by Michael Cavalieri