Ciao Bella

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Ciao Bella is a Canadian television sitcom that debuted on CBC Television in the 2004-05 television season. It is set in Montreal, Quebec.

Elena Battista (played by Claudia Ferri) is a young, unmarried Italian-Canadian woman whose desire for a modern lifestyle conflicts with the traditional values of her family. In the premiere episode, she is hit by a bus on the way to the florist to exchange a corsage on her sister's wedding day. In a coma, she promises God that if she is allowed to live, she will take advantage of her life instead of letting her family run it for her.

Steve Galluccio, who created the series, explored similar themes in the theatrical play Mambo Italiano. Ferri appeared in the film adaptation of that play as a different character.

[edit] Cast

Claudia Ferri as Elena Batista

Ellen David as Sophia Batista

Tony Calabretta as Edwardo Batista

Jessica Heafey as Carmie Batista

Peter Miller as Elio Lanza

Carl Alacchi as Uncle Nunzio

Dorothée Berryman as Theresa Lanza

Louis Philippe Dandenault as Ernie

Johnny Falcone as Maurizio

[edit] Trivia

Each episode is filmed twice, in both English and French. There is no dubbing.
A computer game of the same name has recently been released in relation to the series.
Track 5 on this album is the same song as show's theme music.^{[citation needed]}