Produced by Kismet Productions, the ubiquitous upcoming dramedy film “Nonnas” tells the inspiring true story of Jody “Joe” Scaravella. He is a former Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) employee who transcends through the difficulties of loss while seeking belonging through food. Stephen Chbosky (pictured) and Liz Maccie adapted the screenplay and Chbosky directed the picture. It has an incredible cast supporting that story—including Lorraine Bracco, Brenda Vaccaro, Talia Shire, and Susan Sarandon, along with Joe Manganiello and Vince Vaughn playing Joe Scaravella.
Watch Nonna’s on Netflix beginning May 9th. This year’s culinary artists are part of an ongoing series that dives into how family and culture influence our identities through food. When tragedy strikes, and Joe loses his beloved mother, the depths of the story really begin to unfold. She played a major role in his early years, fostering his love for cuisine. Joe, losing himself in sorrow, becomes a member of a different family. He connects with an elite squad of Italian grandmothers, the nonnas, who graciously impart their secret family recipes and cooking know-how.
The nonnas become more than just culinary mentors for Joe. They offer him comfort and support during a tumultuous time in his life. To fulfill his mother’s dying wish, he opens Enoteca Maria — a neighborhood Italian joint exclusively staffed by these grandmothers. While serving up blended creations to visitors, this acclaimed establishment pays tribute to Joe’s late mother. It is a celebration of the deep cultural legacy of Italian food, taught in kitchens across generations.
The film delves into the themes of family, love, and cultural legacy, highlighting how food can forge connections among people. Stephen Chbosky also strongly spoke to the need for these intersections, when he said,
“Come to the table and break bread and have a conversation that [leads] to more fundamental respect, more love, more sense of connection to each other.”
This idea really resonated with me, and Liz Maccie shared this too, family doesn’t always have to be blood.
“You can find family anywhere. Family doesn’t mean the family you were born to, but family is our neighbor, the person that you pass on the street. Being there for each other, especially now — I hope the film inspires people to do that.”
As a co-producer of the film, Vince Vaughn had spoken about his appreciation for the film’s exploration of food’s connective function to family. He remarked,
“I really enjoyed the connection of food and family [and] the idea that love and culture was passed down through food and get-togethers, and that those gifts stay with us always.”
“Nonnas” strikes a powerful chord with the talent and commitment of its amazing ensemble cast. Actor Joe Manganiello had high praise for the overwhelming talent at work, adding,
“I mean, what a murderer’s row of great Italian American actresses.”
Actress Lorraine Bracco reflected on her experience with the script, noting its emotional depth:
“It was moving. I cried, I laughed. I don’t think you can ask for more out of a script.”
Though both love and memory are often bittersweet in the film, the food within it is used as a beautiful vehicle for both. Joe Scaravella’s experience is the same as Chbosky’s and Maccie’s real life experiences growing up with their families. As Chbosky mentioned,
“What the real Joe did was a love letter to his mom, and what Liz did was a love letter to her family, and me directing it was my love letter to Liz.”
“Nonnas” is set to present an honest depiction of Italian American culture, all while asking audiences to consider their own relationships with family and heritage. Through its vivid storytelling and universal themes, it hopes to motivate viewers to honor their connections and culture.
