Armand Assante Joins 'The Streets of Little Italy' Documentary as Narrator

Armand Assante has joined the feature documentary 'The Streets of Little Italy: 100 Years of San Gennaro' as its narrator, according to Deadline. The actor, known for his role in Gotti, will lend his voice to the project.

Paul Borghese, director of Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn, is helming the film. The documentary is currently in production and chronicles how a small immigrant religious procession on Manhattan’s Mulberry Street evolved into the world’s most famous Italian feast.

What is the documentary about?

The film explores the century-long history of the Feast of San Gennaro. Production has already filmed in Naples, Benevento, and Pozzuoli in Italy to trace the saint's origins. Filming is now underway in New York’s Little Italy and will continue through this year’s 100th-anniversary celebration, scheduled for September 17-27.

The documentary blends archival materials, historical photography, and interviews with residents and public figures. It also uses Ellis Island archives to connect the story of San Gennaro to the journey of Italian immigrants.

Who else is involved?

Fred Gardaphé, a Distinguished Professor of English and Italian-American Studies at Queens College, CUNY, wrote the film. Cinematography is handled by George Mitas.

Director Paul Borghese shared his perspective on the project in a statement. "The Feast of San Gennaro is so much more than a festival; it’s the heartbeat of Little Italy and a living testament to the resilience, faith, and pride of generations of Italian-Americans," he said.

The documentary is produced by CIAO USA in collaboration with Figli di San Gennaro, Inc., the organization behind the annual feast.