Encore: The real life story behind 'Looking for Alibrandi'

<p>Melina Marchetta grew up in Sydney in a close-knit Sicilian family, but she never wanted to be seen as 'that Italian girl'. Years later, she drew on her story to write an Australian classic (R).</p><p>Growing up, Melina lied about the fact she was forbidden to go out on the weekends, and instead told her friends she had to attend lots of weddings.</p><p>At 19 years old, she visited Italy for the first time and met her great aunts, still grieving the …