Author, Anthony (Tony) DeSantis and Filmmaker, Christopher Martini shared the book-to-film process on April 22nd at Casa Italiana Language School in Washington, D.C. Curated by CiaoDC and sponsored by Casa Italiana Language School and The Abruzzo Molise Society. The event launched the behind the scenes of the Amazon best selling novel/Non-Fiction Gold Award, The Stowaway in First Class becoming a movie and the start of the screenwriting process with Filmmaker/Director, Christopher Martini.
Tony shared with the audience his journey writing the memoir of his father, Gaetano DeSantis and his immigration experience as a stowaway and the research he did with his wife, Judy to uncover the timeline and stories from his father’s journey in Italy and Paris, France. Tony expressed his struggle as a stroke victim and writing the book as a healing process.
“Psalm 23:1-4 KJV ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul’…this is what God did for me….and that’s how I wrote this book through my healing process…the book became my purpose,” Tony shared with the audience.
The connection between Italian American Filmmaker/Director, Chris Martini of Triple Martini Productions to Tony was made by CiaoDC. Chris explained to the audience that when Alyssa Ciccone of CiaoDC sent the book to him, he didn’t put it on the pile of books he gets as a filmmaker, he put it on his desk to read and could not put it down.
“It was written so well….and the main character, Gaetano is so good and it’s great to have a good character in a movie these days…he reminds me of Tony,” Chris explained.
Emceed by Casa Italiana Language School’s President, Kathleen Dunn, the attendees enjoyed an Italian buffet lunch and espresso bar followed by a Q&A session with the filmmaker and author; a meet and greet and book signing. It was a fabulous finale to a busy book tour.
Other book tour venues included Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, VA hosted by the Italian Heritage Cultural Society; The Italian Heritage Society of Our Lady of Sorrows and The Sons of Italy Fairfax Lodge.
The Italian Cultural Heritage Society of Nativity Catholic Church kicked off the Virginia DC four day book tour. It was a lovely reception of potluck Italian antipasti and dolci. The audience was thrilled to hear Tony’s story and even shared the birthplace of the author!
The Sons of Italy Fairfax, VA Lodge hosted Tony for an author book presentation and signing. Program Chair, Dawn Falsinotti cooked a delicious Italian three-course meal with antipasto, choice of braciola or Tuscan chicken and cheesecake. It was buonissima! From the warm company to the homemade Italian meal, Tony, his wife Judy and Alyssa of CiaoDC felt right at home.
The Italian Heritage Society of Our Lady of Sorrow hosted Tony for a reception, presentation and book signing.
For more information on The Stowaway in First Class, please visit www.anthonydesantis.com. To book an author event or to get the latest updates on the movie, please email marketing@ciaodc.com.