Dear friends,

For the past two years, I have been making a documentary about the legendary Italian cookbook writer and teacher Marcella Hazan.

“Marcella“ tells the story of an extraordinary Italian immigrant woman who changed how Americans cook and experience Italian food. Marcella Hazan introduced millions of cooks to regional recipes handed down through generations of Italian families. Time Magazine called Marcella “the most authoritative exponent of Italian cooking in America.” I have been following Marcella’s recipes for as long as I can remember, and am convinced that her improbably eventful life will make for a wonderful film.

I am an Emmy and Peabody-winning winning filmmaker. My critically acclaimed documentaries — including SACCO AND VANZETTI, JEWS AND BASEBALL, ROBERT SHAW: MAN OF MANY VOICES, BEDLAM, and many others — have aired on PBS, screened in cinemas, and have been been shown around the world. I am also a long-time producer of many of Ken Burns’ epic PBS series.

I look forward to sharing MARCELLA with millions of viewers but I can’t complete my work on the film without your help. I am more than half-way through production and I urgently need financial support to finish filming and editing, and to prepare the film for release. The pandemic slowed my work, but I am now back in production and if I can raise the funds I need, could finish my work in less than a year. Tax-deductible contributions to “Marcella” can be made to the non-profit International Documentary Association. An online link to donate is at marcella.wedid.it. All contributions will be gratefully acknowledged in the film.

For more information, or to contribute by check, please contact me at peter@willowpondfilms.com.

I would be truly grateful for your support in getting this inspiring story told — to celebrate Italian cuisine and honor one of its more beloved heroes.

Thank you!