IN THE PENAL COLONY

85 MIN ITALY 2024

Directed by Gaetano Crivaro, Silvia Perra, Ferruccio Goia, Alberto Diana. Produced by Mommotty srl.

Synopsis:

In Sardinia, hidden in almost inaccessible places, three of the last active penal colonies in Europe still exist today. In these open-air prisons, inmates serve their sentences by splitting their time between cells and daily work: they cultivate the land, breed grazing animals, and perform maintenance tasks in the same facility in which they are imprisoned.

“In the Penal Colony” is a film that immerses itself in a space of exception.

MY PRIVATE ZOO

65 MIN ITALY/SOUTH AFRICA 2012

Directed by Gianni Sirch, Ferruccio Goia

Synopsis:

Anele is an artist (photographer), a solitary person who loves to stay in his meditative and visionary world. As a journey through his everyday life, we slowly discover his intimate life, his group of friends and the peculiar environment of Langa, the oldest township in South Africa, notorious for having been a place of riots and strong resistance during the apartheid era.

In his past Anele was a political activist but now, in his forties, after that season of idealism he feels himself more inclined to solitude and individualism.
Inspite that sense of disillusion, one day Anele wakes up with the idea of doing something for his community, maybe to organize an exhibition or an open debate about the historical anniversary of the end of apartheid (20 years past since the declared end).

The contrasting feelings between the urge of idealism and the diverse needs of his present life, slowly induce Anele to abandon his project, now more interested in taking care of his future than continuing carrying the burden of collective memory. The surreal presence of a performer playing the role of wild african beasts stands both as metaphor of Anele’s visionariness and as “cultural hybrid”, so recurrent in township life where modernity coexist with the deep roots of the tribal codex.

SU DONU

29 MIN ITALY 2022

Directed by Ferruccio Goia

Synopsis:

This documentary embarks on a journey through Sardinia, exploring the enigmatic world of traditional healers. Despite their renown among locals, these healers exist in a twilight realm, a dimension accessible only to those who possess the secrets to find these guardians of ancient wisdom. The film delves into the passage of magical rites and folk medicine across generations, showing their survival and enduring presence on this storied Italian island. Through personal encounters and profound discoveries, the narrative unfolds a rich tapestry of Sardinian cultural heritage that persists against the backdrop of modernity.

HOLIDAYS OF FLOWERS AND TREES

18 MIN ITALY/ROMANIA 2008

Directed by Ferruccio Goia, Roberto Kusterle

Synopsis:

This documentary explores the Orthodox Easter celebration in a village in the Maramureș area of Romania. It examines the cultural roots of the Romanian people, highlighting how, until spring 2008, they have preserved medieval traits and traditions. Through images and sounds, the film captures the ceremony's setting from the perspective of the villagers and their customs. The narrative unfolds in three sequences: the dirge, the waiting filled with prayers and religious and pagan rites, and the Resurrection of Christ. The filmmakers, having gained the trust of the villagers, delve into the most intimate and private moments of community life, in a world where humans and nature, sacred and profane, earth and spirituality merge, imparting great dignity to everyday acts.

ENJOY THE RIDE

19 MIN ITALY 2017

Directed by Ferruccio Goia

Synopsis:

This documentary offers a brief, poignant portrayal of migrants' journey across the Sicilian Channel. Filmed over two years for the United Nations, the film comprises unused footage intended for documentary, sociological, and humanitarian purposes. Through a visually abstract approach, the short film captures the essence and emotions of these individuals' journey, providing a unique and profound perspective on their experience.