Clara and PJ: A Love Story

My name is Brian Scott and I’m making a short documentary about Clara D’Amato, of Bristol, Ct., who is 103 years old. She is my mother Kitty’s (a spry 92 herself) catholic godmother and they share the same birthday. 

During WW2, Clara’s husband, Pasquale (PJ), was taken prisoner by the Nazis in Italy during the torturous battle of Anzio. He and another soldier later escaped from a fascist prison camp and spent the next 6 months evading capture while traversing the Italian countryside, sleeping in barns, forests and caves. Clara and Pasquale's story is about more than his capture and escape, however. It's also a story about sacrifice, faith, and the choices people make under great pressure- and what can be manifest into being as a result. After hearing whispers of Clara and Pasquale's saga from family members as a child, I was recently able to sit in Clara’s living room and hear her recount the story herself. Since then, I've felt a strong desire (and obligation) to document Clara's telling. 

I've teamed up with talented Director of Photography Roger Ingraham, Production/Direction Assistant Marcus Miller and the D'Amato family's own Jessie D'Amato-Ford as producer to make this all happen. We're passionate about telling Clara and PJ's story and we'd love to have you along for the journey.

I have a goal of raising $10,000.00 to finance the filming, editing, equipment rentals, fees, and related expenses. If you feel you’d like to help out with a donation toward this goal, we'd be very grateful. Any amount donation will entitle you to first access to the film via web link. 

Donations of 100.00 or more will get your name in the credits at the end of the film and a donation of 500.00 or more will get you listed as an executive producer for your generosity! The entire WW2 generation will be gone before too long and for many of us, their stories are essential to  remembering who we are.