Giuseppe Tornatore’s ‘The First Dollar’ Showcased by Rai Cinema at NIAF Gala
Rai Cinema made a noteworthy appearance at the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) gala in New York on Thursday evening, presenting Giuseppe Tornatore’s upcoming film, The First Dollar, to an audience of distinguished guests.
Currently in development, the film chronicles the life of Amadeo Peter Giannini, the founder of the Bank of Italy, which eventually became known as Bank of America. Giannini is a significant figure for the NIAF, an organization established in 1975 to support the Italian American community.
Born in California in 1870 to parents from Italy’s Liguria region, Giannini transformed the banking landscape by extending credit to ordinary individuals—immigrants, workers, women, and families who had previously faced exclusion from financial services. His contributions resonate within the narrative of the NIAF, which honors his legacy.
Giannini’s life intertwined with pivotal events in U.S. and global history, most notably during the reconstruction of San Francisco following the devastating 1906 earthquake. Amidst the city’s ruins, he reopened his bank, reinstating confidence in a distraught community.
Beyond his banking innovations, Giannini played a crucial role in the film industry, financing projects for icons like Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, and Frank Capra, as well as contributing to the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. He supported initiatives such as the New Deal and the Marshall Plan, which aided in the reconstruction of Europe and Italy after World War II.
Paolo Del Brocco, CEO of Rai Cinema, led the presentation before an audience of approximately 700 guests from both the U.S. and Italy, which included prominent figures from the Italian-American political, financial, and cultural sectors.
“I would like to thank NIAF President Robert Allegrini for inviting us to present this major project. The story of Amadeo Giannini is so extraordinary that, in the hands of a master such as Giuseppe Tornatore, it can only result in great cinema,” Del Brocco stated.
He noted Giannini’s exceptional journey as “an Italian, the son of immigrants, who succeeded in transforming the American banking system while maintaining a moral consistency that allowed him to unite economic success with social responsibility and a deep commitment to those most in need.”
The First Dollar is produced by Simone Gattoni and Marco Bellocchio under Kavac Film, Bellocchio’s Rome-based company, in collaboration with Rai Cinema.
“In this year of the American semi-quincentennial, when the National Italian American Foundation is highlighting the numerous contributions made by Italian Americans, it is particularly fitting to use our New York Gala to showcase the upcoming film The First Dollar, which tells the story of A.P. Giannini, one of the most consequential financiers and philanthropists in American history,” remarked NIAF President and CEO Allegrini.
