The initial idea was to make a fun short film about Charlie and Fred Osso, the owners of Rudy’s Pizzeria in Closter, full of satisfying, close-up shots of oozing cheese, creamy pastas and crusty bread — you get the picture. What emerged was a poignant story about sacrifice, success, family and the American Dream told through the story of two Italian immigrants. The documentary is called “Pizza Shop: An Italian-American Dream,” and it is now available on Vimeo for anyone to rent or buy.

Released in the spring of 2017, it has been shown at festivals including the Golden Door International Film Festival in Jersey City, the St. Louis International Film Festival, the Manhattan Film Festival, the Indie Street Film Festival, the Salento Film Festival in Italy and more.