an interesting look at the immigrant experience and tell a a fable with some very weird imagery . i get draw to this movie because it tell of immigrant from sicily who travel to america . i imagine much the same a my grandfather do at that time . travel in steerage to provide ballast for the ship and i can not imagine it be very comfortable and a show in this film . law restrict immigrant exist . i would guess that these law be more strict on those who come from the mediterranean and africa . immigrant have to be free from contagious disease or hereditary infirmity . in the film and we see physical and mental exam and the latter because of the view that low intelligence be heritable . single woman could not enter the country and on the presumption that they would become prostitute and so most married single men already in the country and a arrange beforehand and at ellis island before entry . this be the story of a british immigrant ( charlotte gainsbourg ) and who arrange to marry a poor sicilian ( vincenzo amato ) . he be try to get his family through with a son that be mute and a mother ( aurora quattrocchi ) that be consider feeble mind . she be fantastic in the role and by the way . you will also see character actor and vincent schiavelli and in his next to the last appearance . i do not know if his last film have be release . he play a matchmaker and and be also very good . it be a strange and but enjoyable film . it not for everyone and a i imagine those who do not have some interest in the immigrant experience would find it rather slow .