Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Cabrini is finally coming to theaters.
The inspiring true story of Francesca Xavier Cabrini, the first American saint, was largely filmed in 2021 and is ready for release.
"About 95% of the movie was shot locally," said Tim Clark, Executive Director of the Buffalo Niagara Film Commission. "The rest was shot at the Vatican."
Filming in Western New York included dozens of locations from the city of Buffalo, to Niagara Falls and Medina. It involved horses, carriages, gravel streets and people in period costumes from the late 1800's.
Clark got an early look at the movie and said it was simply amazing.
"It shows off Western New York in a way that we couldn't afford to advertise. In a period movie like this, which was set in the late 1800's, there is so much architectural treasure here. When other filmmakers see this movie, they will ask, where was that movie shot? Where is that magnificent backdrop?"
Clark said of course all roads lead to Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lockport and beyond.
Is there a particular location that stands out? Clark recalls Knox Farm and the bridge in Medina that goes under the Erie Canal.
"The thing that is just amazing to me is how they built a mini backlot, (a temporary set). They re-created Five Points, New York back in the 1890's. They did it on Elk Street in South Buffalo."
Clark shared a little known fact about the movie. John Lithgow and David Morse lead the cast. A breakout Italian actress Christiana Dell'Anna, plays Mother Cabrini.
"There's also a little girl in the movie. Virginia Bocelli, the daughter of great opera master Andrea Bocelli. Andrea was actually here in Buffalo watching the movie shoot. He really enjoyed his stay here. It's one of those unexpected things that happens in the movie business," he added.
Clark expects Cabrini to draw big crowds locally. The North Park Theatre has a special screening two days prior to the opening on March 8.
He called it a wonderful movie that chronicles Cabrini but it is also a story of women empowerment and immigration.
It opens Friday, March 8 on International Women's Day.