On April 30, a premiere U.S. screening of the film In Nome di Maria took place at Casa Italiana. In the passionate and poetic film, an Italian priest confronts the tragedy of post-Chernobyl children in Russia, in a trip that tests his faith.

Gilberto Idonea, a noted Italian actor, plays the priest “Don Sicilia,” who witnesses the good and evil in the Russian system’s treatment of the sick children.

Idonea was present at Casa Italiana during the screening; afterwards he entertained questions from the audience. The movie was presented as a collaborative effort by the Comites of Washington D.C., the Italian Cultural Institute of the Italian Embassy, Amico and Casa Italiana.

Idonea indicated that one-half of the proceeds generated by the film will benefit a hospital in Russia that treats children suffering from the effects of radiation.

(Pictured above L to R D.C. Comites President Melo Cicala, Fr. Lydio Tomasi, Gilberto Idonea, Director of the and Italian Cultural Institute Rita Venturelli, and Italian Embassy intern Quirino Picone)

(Pictured below left, Pino Cicala, Gilberto Idonea, Melo Cicala; pictured below right Gilberto Idonea, Francesco Isgro)