Good Morning, Babylon 1987

Emigration from Tuscany

The Bonanno brothers come from a long line of Tuscan artisans and church restorers. In 1911, they find themselves out of work with little prospects. They decide to seek their fortunes across the Atlantic and move to the United States to start anew.

Arrival in San Francisco

Landing in the United States, Nicola and Andrea face precarious jobs and a difficult immigrant life. They settle in San Francisco's Italian emigrant neighborhood, where work is scarce but opportunity begins to flicker on the horizon. Their talent and hard work eventually attract attention.

Discovery by D. W. Griffith

Their craftsmanship catches the eye of renowned director D. W. Griffith, who is seeking Italian-born set designers for his historical epic. The brothers are invited to join Griffith's production team, a rare opportunity to work in cinema. This marks the start of their ascent in a new, sprawling industry.

Work on Intolerance's Babylonian sets

Nicola and Andrea contribute to the film's elaborate Babylonian setpieces, applying their art and restoration skills to create immersive historical worlds. The work expands their reputation and deepens their ties to Griffith's project. They gain a sense of belonging in the film trade they had not anticipated back in Tuscany.

Love on set and marriages

While immersed in production, both brothers fall in love with two young extras, Edna and Mabel. The relationships lead to marriages that anchor them to life in America beyond their professional success. Their new bonds complicate the brothers' dynamic as the project continues.

Edna's death and tragedy

Tragedy strikes when Edna dies in childbirth, dealing a crushing blow to the brothers. The loss reverberates through their personal lives and begins to corrode the unity they once shared. The event shifts the brothers' relationship toward bitterness rather than solidarity.

Fractured brotherhood

Edna's death exposes deep fissures between Nicola and Andrea. Instead of drawing closer, the tragedy drives them apart and restructures their ambitions. The film hints at a once-shared dream now overshadowed by personal sorrow.

World War I and the brothers' reunion

The war era brings Nicola and Andrea back into contact as they face the upheavals of World War I. Their paths cross again amid the global conflict, underscoring how far they have drifted since Edna's death. The war's scale casts a long shadow over their lives and choices.

The army's camera becomes witness

As the brothers navigate the war, a camera used by the army becomes a dramatic, silent witness to their epilogue. The device records moments that will define the final chapters of their lives. It frames their story through a lens of history rather than personal memory.