The independent film, Cabrini, based on the true story of one woman’s fight for the equality, health, and happiness of immigrant orphans, will release in South African cinemas nationwide, simultaneous with the rest of the world, this International Women’s Day, on 8 March 2024. The film is by the award-winning director of the box-office hit Sound of Freedom, Alejandro Monteverde, and stars Cristiana Dell’Anna in the title role.
The film showcases the powerful epic of Francesca Cabrini, an Italian immigrant who arrived in New York City in 1889 and was greeted by disease, crime, and impoverished children. Cabrini set off on a daring mission to convince the hostile mayor to secure housing and healthcare for society’s most vulnerable. With broken English and poor health, Cabrini used her entrepreneurial mind to build an empire of hope unlike anything the world had ever seen.
Cabrini also stars Academy Award nominated and Tony award winning John Lithgow, best known for his roles in The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment, 3rd Rock from the Sun and Dexter, as well as Primetime Emmy award, nominated actor David Morse.
The film’s production house, Angel Studios has continued its unconventional, grassroots “Pay it Forward” initiative to help people get to cinemas to see the film. Following the resounding success of this initiative with the film Sound of Freedom, through which, over 40 000 people in South Africa claimed free tickets, the campaign is an extension of the movement to promote uplifting films that show kindness and light in the world.
Benjamin Cowley, CEO, Gravel Road Distribution Group shared “This International Women’s Month, our aim is to inspire South Africans from all walks of life to see Cabrini, to honour women and to celebrate their strength, perseverance and tenacity,” he said. “Through the Pay it Forward campaign, you can pay for someone else’s ticket who might not otherwise have had the means to go to cinema. If the ticket price is preventing you from attending, claim your free ticket.”
South African audiences can go to this website for more information on how to donate, or claim a ticket locally.
