A moving story on a woman with bold fearlessness

The film opens with the sober reality of the plight of Italian immigrants living in America at the end of the 1800s. It’s an inspiring true story of Francesca Cabrini, played by Cristiana Dell’Anna (The Hand of God, Gomorrah), a nun who arrives in New York City in 1889 to do something about Italian orphans who lost their parents to disease, suicide, or other problems. Right away, the negative side of New York City is palpable in the areas where Cabrini and her fellow nuns want to make a difference. Her story is simple and it’s poignant for all of us: to have the courage to follow the convictions of the Holy Spirit, and to partner with God in what He has placed one on earth to do.

As Cabrini sees the injustice and inequality that these children face, she’s triggered to do something about it. Her unwavering faith in the midst of her own health setbacks ignites her to move forward. Met with racism and prejudices by White America against all the Italians moving into the city, Cabrini soldiers on. The two takeaways for me: one, in the midst of a broken world, there is hope. And two, it takes courage to become who we’re meant to be.

Getting an editor from the New York Times (NYT) to write a piece, the small framed nun shows the biggest effects are when after you have tried to explain the world’s injustice to people’s offices, who don’t know about the reality of that injustice- if they don’t seem to care then you must take them to see the injustice face to face. This got local attention, awareness, and funding for her causes with the attention-grabbing NYT headline: “Even Rats Have It Better.”

Her work spread around the US as she was behind other hospitals and orphanages being built. And God blessed her with many more years than she would have expected. Her story is a stark reminder that God can use anyone, we just need to surrender and submit to His will for our lives, so we can partner with Him, because one person can change the world.

Directed by Alejandro Monteverde, who directed last summer’s blockbuster Sound of Freedom (2023) and other films like Little Boy (2015) and Bella (2006). It was produced by Jonathan Sanger (The Elephant Man) with the original song by Andrea Boccelli. Cabrini also stars Oscar nominee John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon, The Crown), David Morse (The Hurt Locker, Disturbia, The Green Mile), and Giancarlo Giannini (Quantum of Solace, Man on Fire). Released by Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment, Cabrini was released in the US and UK on International Women’s Day (March 8th) and received well, playing in over 200+ cinemas. On May 27th, it will be released on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital Download.