On this episode of the Italian American Podcast, we’ll sit down with Filmmaker Antony Osso to discuss his award winning documentary PIZZA SHOP: An Italian-American Dream—an intimate portrait of his family and the pizzeria and restaurant they have run for over forty years.

Osso’s film introduces us to his father Charlie and uncle Fred, poor immigrants from post-war Calabria, whose lives have revolved around their successful New Jersey pizzeria for four decades. Their tireless pursuit of the American Dream has borne fruit for them and their families, but now, in their seventies, they’re facing a forced relocation, construction of a new restaurant, their sons’ attempts to update the management style, and encroaching old age.

Listen to the podcast here.

They’ll discuss Osso’s inspiration for this passion project, and examine his family’s efforts to achieve the American Dream of a better life, and what the sacrifices required cost.

It’s an episode that takes on some big ideas about immigration, Italian American identity, assimilation, poverty consciousness… and why the humble Pizzeria says so much about our Italian American experience.

It’s an episode filled with humor, heart, and the sense of family every listener will surely relate to.