Community Corner

Local Man's Benevolent Journey Becomes Film

Joe Sciacca's travels to Vietnam giving money to the diseased and poor were put on the big screen during the Long Island International Film Expo in Bellmore.

A Smithtown man by way of Brooklyn had his story of benevolence told on the big screen Friday during the Long Island International Film Expo in Bellmore.

According to a Newsday report (subscription required), 14-time Emmy award winner and Hofstra University professor Carlo Gennarelli produced, edited and directed a documentary titled “Ordinary Joe," based on the travels to Vietnam of retired roofer Joe Sciacca, 64, who has given money in envelopes since 1998 to people afflicted by disease and poverty. Sciacca also served in the Army in Vietnam.

“Joe is not your typical church-goer, do-gooder,” Gennarelli told Newsday. “Here’s this guy who has no business, you would think, traveling around the world to help other people.”

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According to the report, Gennarelli is trying to find distribution deal for the documentary and release it on DVD and Netflix by early next year.

Click here to read the full Newsday report.

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