Summer of ’82 – When Zappa Came to Sicily comes to Blu-ray on Dec. of ’17

Disc Announcements, News

A few years back Summer of ’82 – When Zappa Came to Sicily received a standing ovation at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham. This is not a conventional concert film since this Zappa tales is the story of two families, two journeys and a concert that went from homecoming to nightmare. Director Salvo Cuccia gives a rich story about the one time Frank Zappa played Palermo, Sicily. This was the land his father left to come to America. It is where his wife and children return to receive honors. Zappa’s concert features plenty of tears, but not from an emotionally moved audience at the soccer stadium. This is a great film that deserves to be seen not just by fans of Frank Zappa’s music. Before it comes out on DVD and Blu-ray on Dec. 8th, there will be theatrical screenings including a few with Frank’s son Dweezil taking questions. There’s even an L.A. screening with Dweezil, sister Moon Zappa and guitarist Steve Vai. Here’s the press release from MVD Entertainment Group:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  
“Summer of ’82 – When Zappa Came to Sicily”
Coming to DVD and Digital Formats on December 8th

Zappa’s ’82 Italian tour comes to life with never-before-seen concert / backstage footage

Limited theatrical run starts in LA on November 5th

In the feature documentary, Summer 82 – When Zappa Came to Sicily, filmmaker and Zappa fan Salvo Cuccia tells the behind-the-scenes story of Frank Zappa’s star-crossed concert in Palermo, Sicily, the wrap-up to a European tour that ended in public disturbances and police intervention. Cuccia had a ticket to the concert but never made it. 

Thirty years later, collaborating with Zappa’s family, he re-creates the events through a combination of rare concert and backstage footage; photographs; anecdotes from family, band members, and concertgoers; and insights from Zappa biographer and friend Massimo Bassoli. The story is also a personal one, as Cuccia interweaves the story of Zappa’s trip to Sicily with his own memories from that summer. 

The film looks at the rise and heyday of Frank Zappa’s career as an innovative composer and libertarian provocateur, and includes tales of the relationship of a busy father with his children.

While in Sicily for the concert, Zappa visited Partinico, the birthplace of his father and grandfather; and in the film’s warm and loving coda, three of Zappa’s children, Dweezil, Moon Diva and his wife Gail, return to meet their relatives there for the first time.

A Blu-ray edition of the film, distributed by MVD Entertainment Group and produced by Eleonora Cordaro for Abra&Cadabra, will be released on December 8th (pre-order HERE). Bonus features include unpublished photos of Zappa behind the scenes.

SCREENINGS:
11/5 – Los Angeles – The Regent Theater – Q&A with Dweezil & Moon Zappa + Steve Vai
11/17 – Philadelphia – PhilaMOCA – Q&A with Dweezil Zappa
11/20 – Boston – The Regent Theatre – Q&A with Dweezil Zappa

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.