Cabrini

In 1889 New York, Italian immigrant Frances Cabrini lands amid tenement blocks, crowded hospitals, and kids on the run from hunger. She refuses to be overwhelmed by squalor and disease, instead leaning on grit, faith, and clever problem solving. Cabrini navigates a wary city where the mayor is wary of outsiders yet decides to listen to this determined woman who talks through barriers of language and power. With frail health and a stubborn optimism, she frames a practical plan to house orphans and provide basic care, assembling a network that turns a desperate situation into organized relief. She builds a moral economy around healthcare, housing, and schooling, convincing skeptical stakeholders through persistence, precise organizing, and small, tangible wins. Her unyielding approach reshapes how a charity effort can become a community led movement.

Directed by Alejandro Monteverde from a script by Rod Barr, Cabrini stars Cristiana Dell'Anna as Francesca Cabrini. The historical drama was produced with a budget of 50 million and released in 2024. The film also features David Morse, Giancarlo Giannini, and John Lithgow in key roles.

Awards: No major nominations have been announced at the time of release. Critics have praised the performances and the film's dedication to a historically grounded portrayal of Cabrini's mission, though the awards conversation has yet to take center stage.

Cultural impact: The movie foregrounds immigration and charitable service, highlighting Cabrini as a pioneering figure in organizing communities for vulnerable children. It has sparked discussions about faith driven social work and the role of women in public life during a pivotal era.

Reception and themes: Viewers are likely to respond to the film's earnest portrayal of resilience and charity, with Monteverde's period detail and Dell'Anna's performance grounding a tale of faith, diplomacy, and community building set against late 19th century New York. The film invites viewers to weigh sacrifice against practicality.