The Joys of the Women (1993)

A group of Italian women from Fremantle, Western Australia, formed a choir called ‘The Joys of the Women’ (Le Gioie Delle Donne), to sing traditional and contemporary songs. Choir member Kavisha Mazzella is a singer/songwriter wanting to learn more about her musical heritage. The film follows her journey to Italy to record traditional music and bring it back to the choir to keep the music alive. Some of the choir members recall their experiences as postwar immigrants in Western Australia.

The documentary is written and directed by Franco di Chiera. His credits include Pipe Dreams (2007), Hoover’s Gold (2005), No Milk No Honey (1997), Three Forever (1996) and Under the Skin (1993).