CHARLY CHIARELLI

ON AUGUST, 30, 2019, “ROAD TO THE LEMON GROVE” HAD A THREE WEEK RUN IN SEVENTEEN CINEPLEX THEATRES ACROSS CANADA (MOSTLY IN MAJOR CITIES, INCLUDING MONTREAL, TORONTO AND VANCOUVER). MANY OF THE OPENINGS WERE TO SELL-OUT AUDIENCES. THIS FILM IS DESTINED FOR MORE SIGNIFICANT FILM FESTIVALS AND INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION. AND - AS FAR AS CHARLY IS CONCERNED, AT AGE SEVENTY-ONE, HE’S JUST GETTING STARTED!

Initially, in the years of my youth, being an immigrant meant being an alien. The established population called us derogatory names like ‘wop’ and ‘dago’. We had to fight off physical aggression to our presence in “America”. We desperately wanted to assimilate, and dreamed of being in a “Leave It to Beaver” family and household. Sometimes we were even embarrassed about who we were because we were not Anglos and we weren’t Italians. In our household and neighborhood many spoke neither English or Italian...we spoke Sicilian, Calabrese, Friulano and many of the other languages and dialects of Italy. However, we came to the realization that, in our neighborhood, we were a majority and we were tough. Realizing our strength and establishing an identity was a source of confidence. With that confidence we created a new faction, that of Italo-Canadians. And eventually of course, we were fully assimilated and in one generation became respected labourers, doctors, lawyers teachers, housekeepers and business creators.

I didn’t hear anything about your family or maybe I’m not informed, do you have children?

I have two children, a son, Liam, and a daughter, Selina. Selina is also an accomplished artist: as a singer, instrumentalist, songwriter, actress, story writer, storyteller and mother of my two grandchildren, aged 4 and 6. She also is fluent in 4 languages including Italian.

My son, who is also fluent in Italian and plays guitar and harmonica as well as being a fine vocalist. However, he graduated as a civil engineer and, so far, prefers to pursue the arts as a hobby-passion rather than a profession.

How important is the family for you?

My family is very important to me but I prefer to include some of my closest friends as family. I have four brothers and one sister, and along with my closest friends we support each other whenever needs arise -and of course we endeavor to enjoy each other’s company. Blood relatives are the genesis of my identity but that identity is complimented by experiences beyond the family. such as education, work and travel experiences.

What the Italian heritage represents for you today?

My Italian heritage is the foundation of my being. I speak Italian and my Sicilian dialect. Much of my artistic work reflects that heritage: I am a member of The Sons and Daughters of Italy of Hamilton Canada (Trieste Lodge); Many of my friends and artistic collaborators are Italian (in Canada, the USA and Italy) and most of my comfort food is Italian cuisine.

But I must qualify that by saying I am also fully steeped in Canadian and American culture, and English is more than a language for me, it’s the primary vehicle with which I present myself as an artist.

In your last film we talk about love, A father’s love for his child, love for his land, love for a woman. Do you believe that the need to love and be loved is the key to everything?

If love is not the key to everything, what is, hate, money, “like” (beyond Facebook)... ? There is only one salvation for us as individuals and inhabitants of this fragile earth and that is love. We must love ourselves and each other. Love is the source of faith, hope and charity, so it is a number one priority. We sing about it, write books, poetry, plays and filmscripts about it. Without it, we are duly depressed - to the extent of committing destructive and self-destructive acts.

Who is the President/Prime Minister of the Nation that your living?

Justin Trudeau is the Prime Minister of Canada, he was recently reelected with a minority government so, politically, it’s going to be an interesting year. However, I also have an Italian citizenship which commits me to being interested in the governance of many European countries - and of course there is the fact that we are neighbors of the USA - so there is never a shortage of stimulation when it comes to politics.