No Dogs or Italians Allowed

The film tells the true story of the director's maternal grandparents, Luigi and Cesira, who left their Italian village in the early 20th century to seek a better life in France. Through a unique stop-motion animation style, the narrative vividly depicts their journey, the challenges they faced as immigrants, and their dreams of prosperity in a new land. It's a deeply personal and visually inventive exploration of family history, migration, and the immigrant experience.

No Dogs or Italians Allowed received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its originality, heartfelt storytelling, and distinctive animation style. The film was commended for its touching portrayal of the immigrant experience and its ability to evoke emotion through its unique visual approach. It resonated with audiences for its personal narrative and historical context.

• Praised for its inventive stop-motion animation and visually rich storytelling.

• Applauded for its poignant and deeply personal exploration of Italian immigration to France.

• Cited as a heartfelt and unique cinematic portrayal of family history and the immigrant's journey.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's artistic direction and the emotional resonance of its story about family and migration. Many found the unique animation style captivating and the narrative engaging, highlighting its success in bringing a personal history to life.

Won the Cristal award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (2022).

Director Alain Ughetto used a unique combination of stop-motion animation, archival footage, and live-action elements to bring his grandparents' story to life, creating a distinct visual language for the film.