A TV documentary in France for Fante

The works by Dan Fante, an American writer of Abruzzese origin, seem to follow the same destiny as his father John's: an earlier, wider recognition abroad than in the States. In France a long TV documentary was filmed on his production. In Italy Dan Fante already has an established audience of readers and a large number of positive criticism. Just yesterday Fernanda Pivano signed a long article in the culture page of Il Corriere della Sera. Fante has had a special feeling with Abruzzo since when, on his first visit to Italy, he wanted to see Torricella Peligna, the village that his grandfather Nicola left for the States in 1901. Yesterday on the phone from his home in Santa Monica (California), he answered the questions of il Centro.

Are your works being appreciated in Europe earlier than in the USA, just as it happened for your father?
"In France I am surely quite well-known, though it is Italy where I am most appreciated; but in Britain too my books are selling well".

Where did the idea of a documentary for the French TV come from?
"Everything started with Christine Bravo, the conductor of a widely popular French show on Saturday afternoons. She is a great fan of mine and suggested the idea to Stéphan Muller, the director who made the video. Stéphan came to California, then he followed me to Italy on my latest trip (in May) and we finally moved to Paris. The documentary will be shown in France this fall".

Spitting off tall buildings, your third novel with protagonist Bruno Dante, is still waiting for an Italian publisher. What are you writing at the moment being?
"A collection of short stories always reflecting, however, my previous stories. Two or three tales, for instance, deal wit a character who drives limousines, one of my many jobs".

What is the state of the film project for your first novel, Chump Change?
"I am still waiting for Ralph Hemecker (the director of some episodes of TV serial "X-files") but in the meantime Michelle Wisler, a lady working for Dreamworks, has the script of "Mooch" (published in Italy as "Agganci") and is trying to get into the main role George Clooney or Sean Penn".

When will you be coming back to Italy?
"I would like to be back as soon as possible, maybe this summer, to Abruzzo and Torricella Peligna".