Feature Length Film

The feature unfolds as a reflective portrait structured across three movements. Origins, impact, and legacy.

We begin in present day Chicago as Mario revisits the salons that still carry his name. These visits are intimate and unscripted. Conversations with stylists and longtime collaborators reveal the quiet influence Mario continues to have.

The story then moves backward through memory. Stylized animation brings to life Mario’s childhood in Italy, his immigration to the United States, early competitions, and the foundation of his first salons. These sequences are not spectacle but emotional texture, designed to visualize memory and aspiration.

The film deepens at Tricoci University, where Mario judges student competitions and mentors the next generation. This chapter explores his partnership with his late wife Cheryl and their shared belief in education and philanthropy.

In the final act, the film slows as Mario reflects on aging, grief, and meaning from his home in Arizona. The question becomes less about what he built and more about what remains. The film closes with a quiet affirmation that making someone’s day is a legacy that outlives any business.