In ‘Leaving the Factory,’ Alessia Cruci Tells a 1910-Set Story That Still Resonates
“Seeing how things are going in the world, the issues I’m talking about in my movie are issues that are still facing women today,” she says. “It’s one of those stories that still resonates nowadays in a very scary way.”
Meet Alessia Cruci | Film Producer
“As a film producer interested in developing historical pieces (especially the one undercover female untold stories), I believe the past influences our present“ […] “With my work, I hope to challenge gender stereotypes and promote more equitable and inclusive societies by analyzing where we came from.”
“Leaving the Factory” Wins at Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum
“The film is a masterpiece in my opinion and tells a little known story that needed to be brought to light,” said SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery. “The writing, acting, set design, costumes, and music created a captivating sensory experience. So proud of our students, technical teams, faculty, and all associated with this beautiful, poignant storytelling vehicle!”
Writer/director Alessia Crucitelli stated that she was “beyond grateful to the Russo Brothers and the SMC Film Production Program for this incredible opportunity.” “My goal is for this story to be seen by as many people as possible and having their support will help a lot to achieve this goal,” she added. “I feel like I’m in a complete dream right now and I am so happy I got to have this experience with my producers, Andrew and Catharine, our SMC Professors Salvador Carrasco and Simone Bartesaghi, and lead actress Roberta Sparta by my side!”
The Russo Brothers Select SMC Film as Winner at NIAF Gala
Upon conferring the award to "Leaving the Factory," a videotaped message recorded by the Russo Brothers was played in front of the crowd of approximately 1,000, in which they said: “[The filmmakers have created] a story that humanizes the historical tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911, which caused the death of more than 120 women and girls who were trapped inside the facilities. A major focus of Alessia's film is to change how Italians view the early history of feminism and worker rights by examining the important contributions that Italian textile worker women made on behalf of the movement... our heartfelt congratulations, thank you for this incredible film!"
“Leaving the Factory” One of Three Finalists for the Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum
“´Leaving the Factory’ is a story about Italian immigrants, written by an Italian immigrant, and made by a multicultural crew that included Italians,” said Alessia Crucitelli. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone involved because they stuck with the project during pandemic-related setback after setback. I am very proud of their ingenuity, creativity, and dedication, along with all the talented collaborators who came on board in the few months leading up to production and beyond. I am appreciative of the opportunity that Santa Monica College afforded me and of the guidance of our professors throughout this process.”
Conversations with Alessia Cruci
When I moved to Los Angeles almost four years ago, I wasn’t 100% sure what I was getting into. But I knew one thing, and for how cheesy that might sound, I knew I was in the right place. I have been waiting my whole life to study cinematic arts, and I was about to do it. My first few months were rough, I got homesick a lot, and I thought of quitting. It was so hard to be away, and the school system was so different too – which made me feel even more like an outsider. I grew a lot, I learned to adapt fairly quickly, and when I started making friends is when my life in LA really began.
Alessia Cruci. Dall’Italia all’America nel segno del cinema
Essendo cresciuta in Italia, sono stata circondata dall’arte fin da piccola – durante i fine settimana i miei genitori mi portavano in ogni tipo di museo. A volte mio padre mi portava con la sua moto sulle colline del Chianti per godermi il paesaggio di Firenze o per visitare piccoli paesi – come Vinci -, per mostrarmi dove sono nati i grandi maestri d’arte.
Alessia, da Porta Romana a Los Angeles e il cuore nel cinema
[…] È soddisfatta e il suo atteggiamento non è cambiato per niente, umiltà e voglia di continuare a scalare la vetta, affamata e determinata più che mai. «Se guardo indietro, penso che la me di quattro anni fa, oggi, sarebbe fiera, ma c’è ancora tanto da fare».
[…] «Sarebbe bello costruire un ponte tra la mia Firenze e gli Stati Uniti, unendo la mia passione di bambina alla mia storia di oggi»
ALESSIA CRUCITELLI e il suo sogno americano
[…] Intanto si è subito fatta notare con il primo cortometraggio, Leaving the Factory, contro la violenza sulle donne, realizzato grazie al finanziamento di investitori privati che nutrono grande fiducia in lei, ricevendo molti commenti lusinghieri, tra i quali quelli di Salvador Carrasco (capo del dipartimento “Film Production” del Santa Monica College), e di Andrè Guimond della “Hollywood Foreign Press Association”, e tra i riconoscimenti ottenuti c’è anche il premio per la miglior pre-produzione, conferitole dalla Next Generetion Indie Film Awards Foundation, associazione che organizza anche un Film Festival in Canada per pellicole indipendenti.
[…] “We’re so impressed by the originality and ambition of the applicants’ proposals,” added Joe Russo. “They speak to the unexpected range of narratives flowing from the Italian American experience, which made the grant selection process extremely exciting.” […] Alessia Crucitelli, whose film, Leaving the Factory, focuses on the story of the mistreatment of Italian immigrant women factory workers, and their struggle to overcome oppression.
The Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum
Russo Brothers Award Film $8k Grant
[…] "When I was a child, every Women’s Day, my teacher told me the story of these Italian immigrant women who died fighting for their rights in an American factory," said the film's writer and director, Alessia Crucitelli, who developed the project under SMC professors Simone Bartesaghi's and Salvador Carrasco's mentorship. "As an Italian immigrant myself, I feel a particular responsibility to uncover this untold story of the Italian-American canon; this story of women who journeyed to America yearning to breathe free, but instead found themselves on the front line fighting for their rights and a brighter future."