I understand some Italian, but can't make out what Don Fanucci is saying when he's walking down the street during the Festilivali di San Gennaro.

When Fanucci grabs the orange from the cart, someone out of scene yells out "DON FANUCCI." Fanucci then gives the classic Italian back hand wave and then says something in Italian. I pasted the script below. Does anyone know what it is Fanucci says? I can't make out the word he's saying. And what's with the back hand wave he does throughout his part. Is this an old Italian thing?

Here's the script from the scene I'm questioning:

CUT TO: People crowding the streets.

CUT TO: FANUCCI walking; he grabs himself an orange. A man comes by and kisses his had.

MAN (O.S.)

Don FANUCCI.

FANUCCI

[Something in Italian.]

Well, you just referred to the "classic" back hand wave. So, you've answered your own question.

Fanucci's pronounciation sounds authentic, but is mush-mouth to me. I can barely understand his english.

I can't tell you what he's saying, but I can answer the above. Yes, it's an Italian thing. My relatives told me that they considered it rude to wave with the palm facing outward, because that's telling the person to "go away", while waving as Fanucci did beckons them toward you.

Thanks for both replies. My parents were both Siciliani. I remember this back hand motion as a child. I never understood it though. It seemed, as you state, it's an Italian way of greeting a friend or saying hello.

I can remember my mother doing it and then saying: "chi fa ciddi." (sp?) Translation would be: "what are you doing?"

asa benedica