Fred Kuwornu is a true humanitarian documentarian, and while you wouldn’t know it from his last name, an Italian national drawn to giving disenfranchised subjects a voice through his lens. His latest triumph?
“18 ius Soli,” a documentary comprised of interviews with 18 Italians fighting to obtain citizenship in the country they were raised, and sometimes even born in. Although the issue is a hot-button topic for those who follow Italian politics, and several initiatives have been proposed to amend current law in the coming months, Kuwornu’s work is generating interest in countries the world over: its honest look at immigration and citizenship issues resonate with many European and Middle-Eastern countries, as well as Australia, and of course the United States.
At the request and interest of various universities, nonprofit groups and other organizations, Kuwornu has recently embarked on a grass-roots screening tour, with stops here in the Bay Area at UC Berkeley and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco.
The showing in SF drew a full crowd and generated a lively Q&A that included follow-up on some of the young adults in the film: one man’s family actually left Italy for the United States after more than 20 years of trying to settle there, while their son remains behind in the country he calls home. Kuwornu is brazen in calling 18 lus Soli a “propaganda documentary” that he hopes will create a “network (sic) of people who want to spread the word.”
While the response from people outside of Italy was surprising at first, he hopes sharing the film will provide him with something to take back home: “I’m interested in every culture where the topic of ethnic diversity is really strong. In Europe this process is only just starting now. You can find stories that will be helpful to Europe.”
One reason for hope: Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi. Kuwornu explains, “There is a new Prime Minister who is very young and powerful, and he recently made a speech on this issue and it was the first time without any opposition.” When asked if he’ll celebrate if any bill comes to pass, Kuwornu reveals he’s a keep-your-head-down kind of guy: “I will not celebrate, I will try to do other works that help the inclusion, that develops a culture of diversity. “
Kuwornu has never had to struggle for Italian rights like the subjects of his film, but his Ghananian father, who came to Italy in 1961 to study medicine and stayed to marry his Italian mother, creates an obvious connection to the subject at hand. Kuwornu’s father eventually became an Italian citizen in the 80s.
And speaking of immigration, Fred Kuwornu is about to set down roots in America. His past work includes writing for Italian television, and production work on the 2008 Spike Lee film, “Miracle at St. Anna.” The story of African-American soldiers fighting on the side of the Italians during WWII inspired Kuwornu to make his first documentary, “Inside Buffalo (They served America when America was not ready to serve them),” the story of the 92nd Buffalo Division.
“Inside Buffalo” won Best Documentary at the Black Berlin International Cinema Festival and has been screened at the Pentagon and Library of Congress. Kuwornu’s current residency in the U.S. is to continue research and filming for his next project, a look at the civil rights voting act in time for its 50th anniversary, named “64” and “65.” When asked about his fascination with black history in the United States, Kuwornu explains, “American culture has a great influence on my life.”
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