Don Q

Don Q

Synopsis

Set in New York City’s Little Italy the film narrates the story of Don Q who lives in Little Italy in a World War inherited from his ancestors. He lives under the delusion that he possesses the values of a mafia boss trying to navigate and protect a diminishing community. This antagonistic perception is put into the perception by the return of an ex con which brings back to the scene Don Q a soldier and a Volunteers in the battle for defending their neighborhood reign against their arch rival.

Cast & Crew

  • Director: Claudio Bellante
  • Writers: Claudio Bellante, Michael Domino
  • Cast:
    • Armand Assante as Don Q
    • Chuck Zito as Rocco
    • Frank Aquilino as Butch The Hat
    • Alesandra Assante as Teresa
    • Marcello Assante as Marcello
    • Marco Assante as Man With Fedora
    • Tony Azzarone as Rocco’s Gang
    • Ari Barkan as Garbage Collector
    • Claudio Bellante as Dominic
    • Frankie Cappello as Frankie The Stalker
    • Federico Castelluccio as Father Peter
    • Joseph D’Onofrio as Al Capone
    • Cristian DeMeo as Nino’s Henchman
    • William DeMeo as Nino
    • Craig DiFrancia as Jerry
    • Michael Domino as Man with Moustache
    • Shelby Ferguson as Smash Girlfriend
    • Valentina Ferrante as The Waitress
    • Luca Garbero as Man at Party

IMDb Ratings

As of December 2024, “Don Q” holds an IMDb rating of 8.7/10, based on 28 user reviews.

Awards & Wins

The film has garnered attention on the festival circuit, earning 17 wins and 8 nominations.

Personal Insights

In the film ‘Don Q’ instead of the common stereotypes related to the character they translocate the story to current times which is modern little Italy. The character played by Armand Assante is well convincingly portrayed as someone who is on the edge of insight and an illusion. What the film, as in the novel, manages best is how a neighborhood transformed over time and how humorously yet sorely disgusting are the conflicts of the old with the new.

Cultural Significance

The movie explores issues of identity, heritage and gentrification’s effect on cultural areas such as Little Italy. Turning the delusions of Don Q into generalizations concerning the metamorphosis of the man’s dwelling, the film becomes a commentary about the love for one’s culture in the face of sociocultural forces that strive to obliterate it.

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