Armand Assante to narrate San Gennaro centennial documentary

Armand Assante has joined Paul Borghese’s documentary The Streets of Little Italy: 100 Years of San Gennaro as narrator and on-camera talent. The film is in production in New York and Italy as it tracks the 100-year history of the Feast of San Gennaro and its immigrant roots.

Why it matters: - The documentary aims to preserve the history of the Feast of San Gennaro as the celebration marks its 100th anniversary in 2026. - The film connects a neighborhood tradition to the broader Italian-American immigrant story, faith and community identity. - The project is positioned for an international film festival run and commercial distribution, with producers also eyeing a premium three-part series for streaming or television.

What happened: - Armand Assante has joined The Streets of Little Italy: 100 Years of San Gennaro as narrator and on-camera contributor. - Paul Borghese is directing the feature documentary and reuniting with Assante for the first time since their 2013 crime drama. - Production is underway in New York’s Little Italy and in Italy, including Naples, Benevento and Pozzuoli. - Filming will continue through the 2026 Feast of San Gennaro on Mulberry Street, scheduled for Sept. 17-27, 2026.

The details: - The film follows how a small immigrant religious procession on Manhattan’s Mulberry Street became a globally known Italian feast. - CIAO USA is producing the documentary with Figli di San Gennaro, Inc., the organization behind the Feast. - The documentary uses archival materials, historical photography, interviews, and vérité footage from the centennial celebration. - The production also draws on Ellis Island archival material to connect the Feast to Italian immigration to the U.S. - Dominic Chianese will perform Neapolitan songs from the Italian immigration era as part of the soundtrack and original score. - Fred Gardaphé wrote the documentary. - George Mitas is handling cinematography. - Borghese said the production hopes to include interviews with Martin Scorsese, who grew up in the neighborhood and previously appeared in Borghese’s documentary BEYOND WISEGUYS: Italian Americans and the Movies. - The producers are also seeking appearances from Marisa Tomei, Stanley Tucci, Ralph Macchio, Chazz Palminteri and Tony Danza. - Borghese is a member of the Order Sons of Italy in America and president emeritus of GIAA, the Guild of Italian American Actors.

Between the lines: - The project is built around access to festival organizers, community leaders, archival collections and the centennial event itself, which could give the film a more definitive historical angle. - The choice of Assante, Chianese and other Italian-American figures signals a bid to blend cultural credibility with broad audience appeal. - The possible expansion to a multi-part series suggests the producers see the story as larger than a single feature documentary.

What’s next: - Filming will continue during the 2026 Feast of San Gennaro in Manhattan. - The production team plans to take the film to festivals before pursuing commercial distribution. - Producers hope the project can expand into a premium documentary series for a major streaming platform or network. - The team is still trying to secure additional interview subjects and featured participants.

The bottom line: - The Streets of Little Italy: 100 Years of San Gennaro is shaping up as a centennial record of one of New York’s most visible Italian-American traditions, with Assante helping carry the story to screen.