The Italians

In a quiet L.A. suburb, fiery matriarch Angelina Maria Russo diligently prepares tonight's feast of a dinner, with no help from her oaf-ish husband Vincenzo. Their charming 30-year-old son Nico is coming over tonight to introduce them to his new girlfriend Lily, who Angelina seems determined to despise. Wanting nothing more than for Nico to settle down with a nice Italian girl who goes to mass on Sundays, will give her beautiful grandchildren, and love her cooking - especially the meatballs - Lily is distinctly NOT Italian, an atheist, not sold on having kids anytime soon and doesn't eat meat. Needless to say, dinner doesn't end well, but that's just the beginning of the Russo's troubles. Shattering truths are soon revealed that threaten Vincenzo and Angelina's decades-long marriage and Nico and Lily's burgeoning relationship, and soon Angelina's contentious brother Sal, her eccentric mother Lucia, Nico's crazy ex-girlfriend Geena, and the next-door neighbors Min and Murray get roped into the chaos. Can the local priest, Father Joe, impart any wisdom on these poor souls to save their love for one another? Eh, God only knows. (Cinequest Festival)