Episode 39: Looking for Alibrandi and life as an Italian immigrant family in 1960’s Australia (With Frank Fornasier)

TRANSCRIPT HERE 

Steph is the luckiest daughter to be able to interview her retired engineer father, Frank (or Franco) Fornasier, on the podcast today, as they reflect on the film and play Looking for Alibrandi (2000 and 2022 respectively). Frank tells Steph what it was like growing up in Brisbane as an Italian boy with an extremely religious mother, and tyrannical unaffectionate father. Topics include religion, early immigration days, and wine that tastes like pus.

This episode is dedicated to Luigia Fornasier, aka Nonnie (14/11/17 - 13/4/2010). We still miss your food and sloppy cheek kisses.

CONTENT WARNING: Suicide, domestic abuse and violence including child and gendered abuse, racial and cultural slurs and racist events, discussion of religion and catholocism.

(Hotline numbers: Lifeline 131114, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636, 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732)

References:

LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI - Belvoir St Theatre

Looking for Alibrandi (film) - Wikipedia

The rise and fall of troubled Aussie star Matthew Newton

Franco Fornasier’s memory 

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NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!

Host: Stephanie Fornasier

Cohost, music and artwork: Michael Watson

Editor: Nicholas Fornasier