International Women’s Day 2024: Cabrini Releases in Cinemas Nationwide

CABRINI
Director: Alejandro Monteverde
Writers: Rod Barr, Alejandro Monteverde
Producer: Jonathan Sanger, Leo Severino
Starring: Cristiana Dell’Anna, John Lithgow, David Morse
Genre: Biography, Drama, Feel-Good
Running Time: 1h 40m
Age restriction: 16 (Language, Some Violence, and Prejudice)

Just in time for International Women’s Day on 8 March, Cabrini is a large-scale film that tells the incredible true story of an unlikely Italian-American renegade who set out to make the world a better place, against all odds.

Here are 5 reasons to watch Cabrini in cinemas from 8 March

The film is based on the true story of an unsung feminist hero

The powerful film follows the story of Francesca Xavier Cabrini (also known as Frances Cabrini), an Italian immigrant who arrives in New York City in 1889 and is greeted by disease, crime, and impoverished children.

This Christian nun sets off on a daring mission of social justice to convince the hostile mayor and culture to secure housing and healthcare for society’s most vulnerable. With broken English poor health and heavy pushback, Cabrini uses her entrepreneurial mind and unapologetic faith to build an empire of hope unlike anything the world had ever seen.

Francesca Cabrini is portrayed as a strong woman of faith who is clashing with sexist men of the era as well as the political and religious leaders.

Frances Cabrini was the first American citizen to be named a Saint

Francesca Cabrini was canonized in 1946 by Pope Pius XII and became the first American citizen to be named a saint. Sainthood is a designation that Christianity has used to recognise individuals deemed to have lived lives of heroic virtue and who, as a result, dwell eternally with God. Though she had been born in Italy, her naturalized citizenship would earn her the title of the first American saint.

It’s the latest work from Alejandro Monteverde, director of the box-office hit, Sound of Freedom

Cabini is the newest film from the director and producers of ‘Sound of Freedom’, which counts among one of the highest-grossing films of 2023.

‘This is a very inspirational story’, explains director director Alejandro Monteverde. ‘It’s just like Gandhi. Her habit does not get in the way of reaching out to all audiences because in order to create change in the world, we have to come together and fight for the common good.’

Cabrini stars Cristiana Dell’Anna in the leading role, alongside David Morse, Academy Award-nominated, and Tony award-winning John Lithgow. Lithgow is best known for Terms of Endearment, the sitcom 3rd Rock from) and the dark crime caper hit, Dexter.

If you’re big on photography, you’ll love the grand-scale framing

Cinematographer Gorka Gómez Andreu(who also worked with Alejandro Monteverde on ‘Sound of Freedom’) created a visual feast for the film. Photography, art and design lovers will appreciate the expansive and cinematic shots and framing of this stylish film.

An example is the beautifully framed imagery in the trailer of a funeral wagon, and the people around it, done all in stark silhouette. CGI is also used to recreate a specific feel for New York and Rome in the late 1800s.

Andre Bocelli and his daughter Virginia performed the theme song

Tenor vocalist Andrea Bocelli has released a music video ahead of the worldwide release of the film that features himself and his daughter singing for the soundtrack. ‘Dare to Be’ features lyrics in both Italian and English, with Andrea’s famous high-soaring tenor voice leading the track.

Virginia previously took up small vocal parts in Bocelli’s 2022 A Family Christmas album and has since evolved into her own as a vocalist. The real magic of the song comes when the pair harmonise with each other, singing a portion of the song in Italian.

Watch the music video here.

When is the release date, and where can you see it?

Cabrini releases internationally and in South African cinemas nationwide on Friday, 8 March 2024 in celebration of International Women’s Day. South African audiences can experience the feel-good magic of Cabrini at Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro, and selected independent cinemas.