El Fratelli – intro

Salvatore Vetro 7 Comments 6 July 2014 General

As you may or may not know, I am a writer, as well as an actor. And, I would like to share with you, a project I am currently working on, as it develops.

It currently has two working titles: El Fratelli (The Brothers) or La Famiglia (The Family). Today, I have the synopsis and back story to share with you. I would love your feedback:

El Fratelli (The Brothers) or La Famiglia (The Family)
Written by Salvatore Vetro
Story Date Sun 01 Sep 2013

Synopsis:
An epic story about love, hate, revenge, acceptance and jealousy.

Don Francesco Pileggi, a farmer from Sicily Italy, seeks greener pastures in America.

His rapid rise to fame and prosperity was not welcomed by the other four families of New York City.

His nephew Joseph is thrown into the lion’s den to avenge his uncle’s murder and subsequently takes over his entire empire.

Joseph’s daughter Maria, has been diagnosed with leukemia, has only 3-6 months to live and her family must find a bone marrow transplant donor.

Criminal charges abound and indictments are free flowing. There’s no end in sight. Something’s got to give.

Marco, the black sheep of the family doesn’t want anything to do with his family and is now faced with having to inform them that he is gay and wants to get married to his partner John Matthews.

BACK STORY

The day had finally arrived. My mamma, three brothers, and I were leaving Italy for good. We were about to set sail for New York. in the most beautiful country. The United States of America. It was an opportunity for a new life. A new beginning! A fresh start! My imagination was running wildly in anticipation of wonderful new adventures to come.

My Zio,(uncle) Frank had sent for us. That’s what families do for each other. It’s an Italian tradition. Frank had long ago decided that life in Italy meant being poor and barely making ends meet. Too much sacrificing with very little reward and had immigrated to America. I too, was unimpressed with what my home country had to offer me now and in the foreseeable future. Frank had seen an opportunity and had gone for it.

Since arriving in America, five years ago, Frank had become quite successful and was treated with dignity and respect. New York was his kind of city. He always saw the big picture. My mamma would tell us many stories about my uncle. All good of course. He was like a second father to me after my biological father had suddenly died of a heart attack.

When mamma told me we were leaving Italy and going to America, I jumped for joy. I was ecstatic. I even started packing my bags not knowing if the day was tomorrow or weeks or months away. I couldn’t wait. I was ready to leave tomorrow.

“Mama’s eyes were as bright as the diamond ring that Papa shyly gave to her in love, twenty-five years ago.  Mama shined the ring daily, appearing to return to the day she received it, sighing as she did so.”

We had buried my dad just a little over a year ago. He’d had a bad heart, but never told anyone. I can honestly say he worked till the day he dropped dead. I’ll never forget it. I was the last one to see him alive.

This is My Story…