“Mister Wonderland” recounts the remarkable story of Sylvester Z. Poli, a humble artisan who emigrated from Italy to America at the end of the 19th century — only to become the greatest theater impresario of his time. The film chronicles his journey from rural Tuscany to the bright lights of the Roaring Twenties, revealing how a migrant’s ingenuity shaped the movie-going experience as we know it. Crossing continents and generations, “Mister Wonderland” sets out to find what remains today of Sylvester’s theaters and the communities they used to serve.
- Year2019
- Runtime53'
- LanguageItalian
- CountryItaly, United States
- DirectorValerio Ciriaci
- ProducerProduced by Awen Films In collaboration with Infinity Blue, Lucca Film Festival e Europa Cinema With the support of Fondazione Paolo Cresci per la Storia dell’emigrazione e italiana, Foundation Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca With the support of Programma Sensi Contemporanei Toscana per il Cinema Fiscally sponsored by Independent Filmmaker Project
- CinematographerIsaak J. Liptzin
- EditorAndrea Fumagalli
- AnimatorAvansguardi
- Sound DesignLuigi Porto
“Mister Wonderland” recounts the remarkable story of Sylvester Z. Poli, a humble artisan who emigrated from Italy to America at the end of the 19th century — only to become the greatest theater impresario of his time. The film chronicles his journey from rural Tuscany to the bright lights of the Roaring Twenties, revealing how a migrant’s ingenuity shaped the movie-going experience as we know it. Crossing continents and generations, “Mister Wonderland” sets out to find what remains today of Sylvester’s theaters and the communities they used to serve.
- Year2019
- Runtime53'
- LanguageItalian
- CountryItaly, United States
- DirectorValerio Ciriaci
- ProducerProduced by Awen Films In collaboration with Infinity Blue, Lucca Film Festival e Europa Cinema With the support of Fondazione Paolo Cresci per la Storia dell’emigrazione e italiana, Foundation Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca With the support of Programma Sensi Contemporanei Toscana per il Cinema Fiscally sponsored by Independent Filmmaker Project
- CinematographerIsaak J. Liptzin
- EditorAndrea Fumagalli
- AnimatorAvansguardi
- Sound DesignLuigi Porto