Because of my involvement with Valtaro Musette music, I recently came in contact with Mr. Louis F. Dematteis (San Francisco, CA) who is a renowned photojournalist and documentary film producer. His resume includes “decades of documenting wars and struggle in Asia and Central America and managing the San Francisco photo bureau for Reuters” (The Examiner – March 14, 2010) and has covered issues of social, political and environmental importance around the globe for over 30 years. Dematteis began his work in film in 1997 on Charles Koppleman’s feature “Dumbarton Bridge” and Lise Swenson’s 2004 feature “Mission Movie.”

Mr. Dematteis current project and documentary film is titled “Crimebuster – A Son’s Search for His Father.” The film is about a son’s (Mr. Louis F. Dematteis ) journey in search of the story of his father, crimebuster and jurist Louis B. Dematteis. Louis B. Dematteis was district attorney and Superior Court judge in San Mateo County, CA and the film documents and details the family’s two generations in America, estrangement, justice and healing.

Three points of interest that peaked my enthusiasm in his project was that Mr. Dematteis’ uncle was the noted accordionist virtuoso John Molinari (San Francisco 1912 -1989), that his maternal grandmother was a great fan of Valtaro Musette music and that he wanted to include some Valtaro Musette music in the sound track of the film.

Hence, I had the opportunity to assist him in a very small way to get certain questions answered and secure some needed paper work regarding the Valtaro music.

The sound track includes two Valtaro recorded songs “Occhi Brillanti” (Brugnoli) and “Sulle Ali D’Amore” (Beaucaire) both of which are found on the Valtaro Musette “Dance Time Album” (Colonial Recording). His uncle John Molinari’s recording of “La Danza” (Gioachino Rossini), “Oh! Marie” (Eduardo Di Capua) by John Linda plus several other selections.

The film will be presented on Friday, October 22, 2010 (4:30PM) as part of the two day gala festivities of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) at the Washington, DC Hilton (Oct. 22nd and 23rd). Other venues for presenting the film in the New York Metro area are currently being explored.

If you get the opportunity please see a great film “Crimebuster – A Son’s Search for His Father” and also hear a great accordion music sound track.