Pack One Bag
Lemonada Media
The epic true story of an Italian Jewish family, split apart by love, fascism and war. Through shocking discoveries - and Stanley Tucci’s artistry - an enthralling personal history comes to life.
When documentarian David Modigliani was a kid, his grandfather, Franco, won the Nobel Prize. But, David’s always been more fascinated by the love story that made it possible -- his grandparents' romance on the run from Fascist Italy. When he digs into their story, he uncovers a darker side to their fairytale escape: a brother left behind to face the Nazi occupation - and startling personal connections between his family and Benito Mussolini. In the Tribeca-winning podcast, PACK ONE BAG, he returns to Italy to investigate his family's past, carrying a pressing question: if Fascism takes over your country, do you stay, or do you try to flee? And what happens if you can’t? From Live Action Projects, Gilded Audio, and Lemonada Media.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
When documentarian David Modigliani was a kid, his grandfather, Franco, won the Nobel Prize. But, David’s always been more fascinated by the love story that made it possible -- his grandparents' romance on the run from Fascist Italy. When he digs into their story, he uncovers a darker side to their fairytale escape: a brother left behind to face the Nazi occupation - and startling personal connections between his family and Benito Mussolini. In the Tribeca-winning podcast, PACK ONE BAG, he returns to Italy to investigate his family's past, carrying a pressing question: if Fascism takes over your country, do you stay, or do you try to flee? And what happens if you can’t? From Live Action Projects, Gilded Audio, and Lemonada Media.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 31, 2024 • 55min
Choose Carefully
Dive into Italy's complex post-war landscape, where the joy of liberation clashes with memories of oppression. Explore how families grapple with their heritage amid the shadows of fascism. Discover a farmer's resilience amidst financial hardships and painful memories. Uncover the enduring legacy of love and family connections that transcend generations. This captivating journey highlights personal choice, identity, and the importance of remembering our past while finding solace in the present.
7 snips
Jul 24, 2024 • 34min
A Thousand Hopes
The podcast discusses the liberation of Rome during World War II, the experiences of individuals in occupied Rome, and the unspoken trauma of loss and survival. It also touches on survival and reunion at Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, as well as reflecting on unity and transformation within the family after the war.
Jul 17, 2024 • 37min
The Rope Game
EPISODE 8 -- Squeezed from every angle, Franco's family fights to survive. From a hill town safehouse to the Roman underground, Giorgio teaches his young children escape drills and false identities. Franco's cousin Piero faces a shakedown gang of Italian cops, with deportation to Germany hanging in the balance. For more, tap to follow @packonebag on Instagram, TikTok and X and visit the show's website. This episode is sponsored by Harney & Sons Fine Teas! Visit Harney & Sons HERE and use code PACKONEBAG for 10% off!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 10, 2024 • 41min
Wolves' Weather
EPISODE 7 -- The Nazis come for the Jews of Rome -- and the family Franco left behind. Heart-pounding twists of fate determine who's captured and who survives. David's cousin Sara connects us to the moment through music.For more, tap to follow @packonebag on Instagram, TikTok and X and visit the show's website. This episode is sponsored by Harney & Sons Fine Teas! Visit Harney & Sons HERE and use code PACKONEBAG for 10% off!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 3, 2024 • 33min
The Brother Left Behind
EPISODE 6 -- Trapped inside Italy, Franco's brother, Giorgio, fends for his young family as the war comes for them - and Mussolini falters. After a near-death experience, Giorgio keeps his ears glued to the radio: will the descending Nazis take Rome?For more, tap to follow @packonebag on Instagram, TikTok and X and visit the show's website. This episode is sponsored by Harney & Sons Fine Teas! Visit Harney & Sons HERE and use code PACKONEBAG for 10% off!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 26, 2024 • 37min
Enemy Aliens
EPISODE 5 -- Aboard a famous ocean liner, Franco, Serena and the "King of the Books" brave a gauntlet of German submarines just days before the outbreak of World War Two. Soon, the United States turns Italian immigrants like them into "enemy aliens," leading to a whole new persecution - and an encounter with the KKK.For more, tap to follow @packonebag on Instagram, TikTok and X and visit the show's website. This episode is sponsored by Harney & Sons Fine Teas! Visit Harney & Sons HERE and use code PACKONEBAG for 10% off!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 19, 2024 • 39min
One Step Ahead
EPISODE 4 -- The Fascist regime spies on Giulio, who's on the run in Paris - and blocks his fortune inside Italy, just as his best friend performs a dramatic act of defiance. In Rome, David's cousin reveals a haunting dilemma: who has the privilege to actually flee -- and who gets left behind?For more, tap to follow @packonebag on Instagram, TikTok and X and visit the show's website. This episode is sponsored by Harney & Sons Fine Teas! Visit Harney & Sons HERE and use code PACKONEBAG for 10% off!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 12, 2024 • 46min
The Lucky Ones
EPISODE 3 -- On the ground in Italy, David visits the Prime Minister and digs into the Fascist upbringing of his Nobel-winning grandfather, Franco. Mussolini's "Racial Laws" raise the stakes of his grandparents' budding romance and lead their families to confront the hardest question: do you stay or flee? For more, tap to follow @packonebag on Instagram, TikTok and X and visit the show's website. This episode is sponsored by Harney & Sons Fine Teas! Visit Harney & Sons HERE and use code PACKONEBAG for 10% off!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 5, 2024 • 44min
Mussolini's Friend
EPISODE 2 -- David discovers a surprising personal relationship between his great-grandfather and Benito Mussolini. Stanley Tucci brings this great-grandfather to life, revealing how he witnessed Mussolini's rise to power - and what happens when a dictator turns against you.For more, tap to follow @packonebag on Instagram, TikTok and X and visit the show's website.This episode is sponsored by Harney & Sons Fine Teas! Visit Harney & Sons HERE and use code PACKONEBAG for 10% off!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 5, 2024 • 33min
The Fairytale Escape
Franco Modigliani, who escaped Fascist Italy and won a Nobel Prize, and his grandson, David, uncover a darker side to their fairytale escape. They delve into family history, love letters, political encounters, and the challenges of authoritarian regimes, creating an emotional journey of rediscovery and connection.
