On Nov. 13, CT State Middlesex celebrated a milestone as community members, dignitaries, faculty and students watched the premiere of The Sicilian Heritage Project, a documentary produced by professors Daniel Nocera and Angelo Glaviano. The one-hour film honors the work, sacrifices and resilience of the Sicilian immigrants who traveled from Melilli, Sicily, to Middletown, Conn., beginning more than a century ago.

“I felt there was a need to document their struggles but also their successes because little credit has been given to those who did so much to build this city,” said Glaviano, a Sicilian native and coordinator of the Modern Languages Department at Middlesex. “This documentary is a tribute to the hard work and sacrifice of every Sicilian living in this community.”

Link to full documentary

"In every interview, everyone often mentioned their love for this country and how grateful they are for the many opportunities they received in becoming whoever they wanted to be. Freely,” Glaviano added.

The project began in 2020 when Glaviano approached Nocera to collaborate on capturing the stories of Middletown’s Sicilian families. For Nocera, who has taught video production and editing for more than 30 years, the partnership offered not only a powerful storytelling opportunity but also an experiential learning project for his students.

“This is a very special night for me that’s 126 years in the making,” said Nocera. “I get to properly honor my ancestors who came before me.”

His connection to the film runs deep. Nocera’s great-grandparents, Rosario Nocera and Sebastiana Marchese, emigrated to Middletown from Melilli in 1906.

“My great-grandfather was just 16 and the 111th person from Melilli to arrive here,” Nocera added. “He worked hard and saved money to bring his family over. I did this project for my family and especially my kids, because it’s important to remember the past and our ancestors’ struggles and triumphs.”

CT State Middlesex Center for New Media students helped film and edit interviews with Sicilian community members including Nancy Vernali, Santina Giuliano, Maria Eiler, Carmelo Mazzotta, former Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano, Steve Scionti, Dominic Giuliano, Luigi Marchese, Joe Vecchitto and Bill Corvo, the son of the U.S. Army officer who planned the WWII landing in Sicily, a strategy that saved thousands of American lives.

The documentary also includes footage Nocera filmed at the Saint Sebastian Feast and in Middletown’s North End. At the premiere, he thanked his former students and recognized current students who helped finish editing the documentary, Sebastian Guillen and Gillian LeBlanc.

“The result is a film rich with music, images and first-hand accounts of heritage and perseverance,” said Nocera.

The urgency to complete the documentary came earlier this year when Glaviano learned that a delegation of 52 visitors, including the Mayor of Melilli, would be traveling to Middletown for a cultural visit.

“Could we finish by May?” he recalled asking. “And now, here we are.”

He also expressed gratitude to event coordinators Dean Donna Bontatibus, English professor Christine Ruggiero and executive assistant Corey Ruggieri, as well as Steve Chester and his maintenance team. Special thanks were shared for former CT State Middlesex CEO Kimberly Hogan and to the elected officials present, including current Middletown Mayor Gene Nocera and former mayors Domenique Thorton and Giuliano.

Nocera observed audience feedback that already reflects the emotional weight of the project:

“You made a serious difference for our people,” said Prof. Eva Jones.

“It touched my heart and spoke to my family’s values and their experiences when they came to the U.S,” added former Middlesex President.

“One line in particular will stay with me: ‘Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel for those who look up — so look up.’ What a powerful reminder of perspective and hope,” noted Prof. Ruggiero.

“Thanks to your documentary, I feel like so many of my family members are preserved forever now,” said documentary participant Luigi Marchese.

Other attendees included Jesse Nasta, executive director of the Middlesex County Historical Society and Brad Baker, CT State Community College dean of Liberal Arts and Education.

Future showings are being planned and an hour-long director's cut is in the works.

Link to documentary Facebook page