Michelle Sorriso
Pomarico, a small town of old people in the South of Italy, navigates through the loss of its dying Centro Storico.
The film follows several locals as they go about their day, painting a picture of what it is like to live in a rural town such as Pomarico and reflect on what it means to age in a town that ages with you.
As the daughter of a Pomarican who left his hometown to find a better life, I’ve been able to watch Pomarico slowly decay through my family’s eyes. I've seen how beautiful parts of the town have been destroyed, and yet hold so many stories my father told me about. The old streets get emptier and emptier every time I visit. It's been heartbreaking to see the town being slowly abandoned as the residents lose hope each day--it made me feel frustrated about not being able to do anything to stop it.
That is why with this poetic, observational documentary, we aimed to capture a portrait of Pomarico as it is today--its endless stories, its vibrant community, its rich culture, and the grim transformation as seen through the eyes of those living through this change. I wanted to capture it before it’s gone.
At its heart, this film is about the resilience of a grieving community, navigating the loss of their beloved home. It is about the struggles of coming to terms with change, and about the pride of being part of a culture that will fight for their legacy. But also, it is a protest against the neglect of the Italian South, reminding the world that Pomarico exists and deserves to be remembered.
Most importantly, this film is about love. The love for your own roots, your people and culture, and the determination to keep the memory of a homeland alive, even after it's gone.
Almost a decade after the peak of the #MeToo movement in 2016, the concept of postfeminism has re-emerged in the mainstream rape discourse, putting into question the relevance of the movement in contemporary times. This thesis analyses to what extent the development of MeToo has influenced the portrayal of sexual violence against women in the media, and provides an examination of the current rape discourse and media representation from a postfeminist perspective.
Using a similar methodology to film theorists Cuklanz and Projansky, this thesis analyses rape scenes from popular US-American and British films and television series of the 21st century, such as Game of Thrones, Outlander and I May Destroy You, and formulates a pattern of rape narratives prevalent in the media today.
By applying feminist film theory, concepts of trauma psychology and sociology, the thesis examines the correlation between society and media culture. It studies the defining role of internet technology in the development of feminist movements in the world and documents both the progression & onsetting regression of female sexual violence representation.
Michelle Sorriso is a documentary director and producer who works across genres, from short films & music videos to television dramas. She is drawn to telling stories that centre on the experiences of outcasts in society, especially women, exploring themes of cultural identity, gender and traditions.
