VMF Screens Oliver Stone's "The Untold History of the United States."

Artwork by Adam Milat-Meyer

The Vito Marcantonio Forum (VMF), recently presented a second installation of director Oliver Stone's documentary, “The Untold History of the United States.”

The VMF screened the second of four chapters from Stone's opus magnum, which cover the period coinciding with Marcantonio's seven-term congressional run and includes the Depression, World War II, and the Korean War.

VMF co-chair Roberto Ragone delivered a reenactment of Marcantonio's address, “How the Marshall Plan Betrayed Democracy: The Case of Italy.”

The event took place at the Mulberry Street Public Library on March 10.

VMF member Al Freda said the documentary loosely parallels a book of the same title co-written by Stone and Peter Kuznick, and “reveals, or better, exposes all the facts which are intentionally omitted from standard histories of the U.S. of Amnesia – Gore Vidal's appropriate designation for the U.S.”

The next screening will take place April 14. Chapter three is entitled, "The Bomb." It will be followed by another May 12; both at the Mulberry Street Public Library, 10 Jersey Street.

Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Anniversary

The VMF is urging members and friends to join Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition March 25 in marking the tragedy's 107th anniversary.

The commemoration will take place at the corner of Washington Place and Green Street (just east of Washington Square Park) and run from 11:30 to 1 p.m.

The fire took the lives of 146 people - garment workers - 123 of them women, mostly Italian and Jewish in origin.

VMF co-chair Gerald Meyer notes that, “On this day we remember these victims and pledge to redouble our fight to rebuild the union movement and political organizations capable of protecting the lives and livelihoods or workers – native-born and foreign-born, men and women – Americans all.”

The Vito Marcantonio Forum is an associate of the coalition and a financial contributor to its efforts. 

Coalition member Annie Rachele Lanzilloto will launch a double book of memoir poetry and short prose, "Hard Candy: caregiving, mourning and stage light," and "Pitch Roll Yawl" (Guernica), with a Prosecco tasting at NYU Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimo, 24 West 12th Street, New York City. The event takes place on March 22 at 6 p.m. She'll read again, along with poet Mia Fama', at an April 14 event in which the Italian American Writers Association will celebrate its 27th anniversary. Sidewalk Café, 94 Avenue A, Sixth Street, East Village, New York City 10009. 

VMF co-chair Roberto Ragone will play a prosecuting attorney in the play, "A Cop Shot My Son" at the Sonnett Theater at the Producer's Club, 358 W. 44th St., between 8th and 9th Avenues. Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday. The dates are March 21-March 26. Tickets are $15. 

VMF Member Lulu Lolo will perform in "Art in Odd Places: Matter," at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on April 5 and April 6. 

"The Goodfather (A Novel): The Rising Fall of the Marvelous Marcantonio," can be found here: MARC LIVES!