Emiliano Viola
Documentary Director
I like to observe
and reveal,
much less to be seen.
GEO DOCUMENTARIES
Each of my documentaries begins with a clear premise, a focal point around which I build the entire story. From there, different themes unfold like petals, gradually forming the narrative as a whole, each adding its own nuance, detail and point of view.My approach is never linear. It expands, following the natural rhythm of the stories and the places they belong to. People, landscapes and traditions reveal themselves little by little, creating an authentic portrait of what I set out to tell.
GARDENS AND BEEHIVES IN THE HEART OF VEIO
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Cinematography Massimiliano Scappaticci, Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 5 February 2026
THE CRAFTSWOMEN OF ORVIETO
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Cinematography Massimiliano Scappaticci, Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 2 February 2026
MAURIZIO AND THE BLUEBERRIES
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Cinematography Patrizio Cimini, Massimiliano Scappaticci, Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 2 January 2026
TORTELLO ALLA LASTRA FROM COREZZO
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Cinematography Massimiliano Scappaticci, Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 16 December 2025
THE HONEY OF THE FOREST
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Cinematography Massimiliano Scappaticci, Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 3 December 2025
POETIC LICENZA
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Cinematography Alessandra Centra, Massimiliano Scappaticci, Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 25 November 2025
CARDO GOBBO FROM THE MIDDLE TIBER VALLEY
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography Piergiorgio Simeoni
Cinematography Patrizio Cimini, Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 15 September 2025
ROCCAGORGA: MEMORIES AND TRADITIONS
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography Massimiliano Scappaticci
Cinematography Alessandra Centra, Stefano Spano
Aerial Cinematography Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 30 January 2024
THE BISCUIT ENGINEER
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 26 November 2024
THE SERPETTE OF MONTE PORZIO CATONE
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Additional Voice Laura Squillaci
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 20 November 2024
CORI AND THE SAFFRON
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 22 October 2024
FRASCATI HERITAGE
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 21 October 2024
MILK, APPLES…
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 23 November 2023
THE HAPPY RAVIOLO
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 22 November 2023
FROM FOUNDRIES TO GELATO
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography Piergiorgio Simeoni
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Sound Mix Federico Martucci
Broadcast 3 October 2023
ROMAN FOCACCIA
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography and Colourist Riccardo Mischianti
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivototto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 11 September 2023
THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH – BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography and Colourist Riccardo Mischianti
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 15 March 2023
THE WHITEFISH OF NEMI
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography and Colourist Riccardo Mischianti
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 14 February 2023
MARANO CORN
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography and Colourist Riccardo Mischianti
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 31 January 2023
THE PALMENTI AND RUTT OF PIETRAGALLA
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography and Colourist Riccardo Mischianti
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 3 November 2022
THE BREAD THAT SINGS AND OCTOBER OLIVE OIL
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography and Colourist Riccardo Mischianti
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 6 October 2022
CALIGULA'S PANTRY
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography and Colourist Riccardo Mischianti
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 28 April 2022
A BASKET OF GIGLIETTI
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography and Colourist Riccardo Mischianti
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 14 March 2022
VEGETABLE GARDENS AND CHICKENS
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography and Colourist Riccardo Mischianti
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 21 February 2022
GELATO FROM THE CASTELLI ROMANI
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography and Colourist Riccardo Mischianti
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 14 April 2021
A FAMILY FROM ALTO VICENTINO
Produced by Videoloop S.r.l.
Director of Photography and Colourist Riccardo Mischianti
Aerial Cinematography and Second Camera Massimiliano Scappaticci
Original Music Roberto Pivotto
Narrated by Mimmo Strati
Broadcast 28 January 2021
SHORT FILMS
Cinema is my passion, and even when time is short, I can never resist the urge to tell stories.
My three short films were created as part of the 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP), a competition that challenges filmmakers to create a film in just 48 hours. Together with my longtime friends Roberto Pivotto and Riccardo Mischianti, we devoted three intense weekends to bringing these stories to life.
bromadiolone
Year 2023
Genre Vacation / Holiday Film
Special Guest Davide Lepore
Directed by Emiliano Viola
purgatorio
Year 2020
Genre Experimental Drama
Production A pandemic short film, created “remotely” during the global lockdown
Directed by Roberto Pivotto, Emiliano Viola
RATTLESNAKE
Year 2019
Genre Horror
Awards & Nominations Best Film, Best Original Score, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design
Directed by Roberto Pivotto, Emiliano Viola
DOCUFILMS
This is the form of storytelling I feel most drawn to. Naturally, I take inspiration from Gianfranco Rosi, without taking anything away from anyone else, because he reinvented the language of this genre.
I love structuring the writing almost like an algebraic equation, but when it comes to filming, I prefer the direction to remain invisible. The protagonist is given complete freedom, and the first take simply has to be the right one.
controeccellenza
Year 2014
Running Time 71 minutes
Genre Docufilm
Directed by Roberto Pivotto, Emiliano Viola
Today, I spend most of my time writing, filming and editing documentaries.I tell stories about places, people, crafts and small realities that often escape a distracted eye. It is work that deeply reflects who I am, but it is not where my journey began. From a very young age, I followed the instinct that drew me into television control rooms, whether in studios or outside broadcast units.I then turned my attention to post-production and, over many years in editing suites, I encountered stories, ideas and different narrative languages. That is how I discovered what I truly liked and, above all, what I did not like at all.
Those were the years when my background in electronics, my love of poetry and my passion for storytelling came together. For a long time, I searched for a way of working that could be professionally rigorous while also preserving a deeper meaning.
In 2014, I made my directorial debut alongside Roberto Pivotto, a musician, composer and lifelong friend. The project was Controeccellenza, a documentary film that was complex in both its writing and production. It made me realise how closely documentary filmmaking reflected my own way of observing and telling the world: through people, their experiences and their stories.
In 2020, I wrote and directed Appunti dal silenzio, a testimony to the sense of suspension that the pandemic had imposed on a city like Rome.
I have never stopped since.
Alongside my documentary work, I also made several short films, Serpente a sonagli, Purgatorio and Bromadiolone, born mainly from a desire to challenge myself and experiment with different forms of storytelling.
In the years that followed, I wrote, directed and edited dozens of documentaries for GEO on Rai3. This journey has taken me across Italy, telling the stories of its landscapes, local productions, cultures and people.
That is probably the most beautiful part of this work: being allowed into other people’s lives for a short stretch of their journey, and transforming each encounter into a story.
This is who I am, so far.
As for the future, it is still waiting to be written and filmed.
I hope you enjoy watching.
Il nostro primo corto, nato da un team interamente composto da amici, ognuno con un contributo essenziale e una grande passione. La trama horror ci ha conquistati fin dal primo istante e il risultato è stato un successo: quattro candidature che hanno premiato il nostro entusiasmo e impegno.
Questo progetto è speciale: realizzato durante la quarantena, quando uscire di casa era impossibile. Scritto, girato e montato interamente a distanza, ha visto tre attori interpretare lo stesso personaggio maschile in modi innovativi. Una collaborazione a sei mani, nata dalla voglia di restare creativi in un momento di isolamento, unendo voci, volti e gesti attraverso uno schermo.
The most mature of the three short films, made possible by the extraordinary participation of Davide Lepore.
With its fast-paced dialogue, reflective pauses and steadily building tension, Bromadiolone plays with what is said and what is left unsaid, blending suspense with irony.
It is a short film that entertains and surprises, showing how storytelling and attention to detail can make all the difference.
This docufilm is like a child to Roberto Pivotto and me, our first. We love it because it was where everything began. It was a project born out of enthusiasm, curiosity and the desire to tell stories that quite literally captivated us.
At the heart of ControEccellenza are three friends of ours, three extraordinary people who did not know one another, but whose lives made us fall in love with who they are. Their passions are not simply hobbies or professions, but genuine missions, authentic declarations of how they choose to live and what defines them.
Livio Argentini turned his home into a workshop, devoting more than 50 years to handcrafting professional audio systems. Every sound he creates says something about who he is.Gianni Brucculeri lives to capture moments. Photography is his world, a bridge between reportage and art. Every photograph is a journey.Maestro Alberto Di Francia created a dojo filled with life and discipline. A place where he has trained thousands of students, sharing the values of Judo and building bonds that last a lifetime.
Behind the scenes, ControEccellenza was made possible by a technical and creative team who believed in the project as much as we did. A crucial contribution came from Videoloop S.r.l., whose professionalism and support allowed us to give shape to our ideas and turn them into images and sound.
ControEccellenza was born at a time when Italy seemed to have lost confidence in itself. Through this film, we wanted to show that there was still so much beauty and uniqueness worth celebrating. It was an emotional journey. Bringing images and sounds together to give a voice to these stories of passion was an experience that left a profound mark on us.
When I think about this project, I cannot help but feel a strong, personal connection to it. It is as though every scene carries with it a piece of me, of Roberto, and of these extraordinary friends who shared something of their true selves with us.
Website: www.controeccellenza.it
A Journey Through People, Stories and the Land: My Adventure with GEOThis documentary marked the beginning of my adventure with GEO, and the memory of the Alto Vicentino community is still vivid in my mind. Every encounter was unique: Enrico, Alice and Sandro, Silvia and Matteo, and Silvia and William all left a lasting impression on me.Enrico, Guardian of Change
Enrico is no ordinary farmer. He is one of those rare people who cultivate the land not simply for themselves, but to regenerate it. His love of nature is infectious, and every day spent with him reveals new stories and lessons.Alice, Sandro and Harmony with Nature
Alice and Sandro live in the Valli del Pasubio in harmony with their goats, in an ideal habitat. Their world seems to have come straight out of a film, a reality suspended somewhere between nature and a dream.Silvia and Matteo, a Conscious Choice and a Special Bond
Of all the people I met, my encounter with Silvia was one of the most profound. During a long conversation, something I consider essential in establishing a connection with the people whose stories I tell, Silvia told me about the moment she inherited her uncle's land.
It was a turning point, marked by her decision to leave behind everything that could not be touched with her own hands, and to convert the farm to organic production. The honesty and clarity of her story affected me deeply, and I still find myself thinking about it today.Silvia and Matteo embody a rare kind of awareness. They came from different backgrounds, but with great determination they built an approach to farming that respects the land and its natural rhythms. Their vision also strengthened my connection with their story, an empathy born from shared values and admiration for their commitment.Silvia and William, Excellence and Hospitality
Silvia and William make a pizza that represents the very best of Alto Vicentino. In their immaculate, well-organised workshop, the quality of their products is matched by their passion and hospitality.
Stepping into their welcoming little gem of a shop means not only discovering culinary excellence, but also being won over by their warmth and good humour, capable of brightening even the most difficult days.An Experience to Remember
Alto Vicentino is a place that stays with you, thanks to extraordinary people and smiles that make you feel part of one big family.
Discover, Be Moved, Tell the StoryI met Dario on the very first day of filming. I like to approach every story with the curiosity of someone discovering it for the first time, allowing myself to be surprised so that I can share that same sense of wonder with the audience.
We worked together for three days, not consecutively, immersing ourselves in his everyday life: at home, in his local area and in his workshop. From the very beginning, it felt as though we had known each other forever. Dario is a down-to-earth, easy-going young man, full of enthusiasm and eager to make things happen.The documentary led to something deeper. Once the filming and editing were complete, what had begun as a professional collaboration grew into a genuine friendship. I was at his wedding, and he was at mine.
It is rare to connect so deeply with the people whose stories you tell, but when it happens, it is a precious gift that goes far beyond the camera.
Arianna, a Force of NatureArianna is pure energy, a true force of nature. It is almost impossible to see her stand still for more than two seconds. Her instinct constantly drives her to take on new ventures, create and challenge herself.
Her natural curiosity led her, almost by chance, to discover a fascinating and unexpected world of chickens, fresh eggs and allotment gardens.
From these simple yet precious fruits of the land, Arianna has built something much greater: a network of genuine relationships, a business that brings tradition and innovation together, and a way of life shaped by passion and sustainability.
Among these relationships are those she has developed with some of Rome's finest chefs, including Michelin-starred Giuseppe Di Iorio, who shared with us his personal interpretation of a jewel of traditional country cooking: minestra dell'orto.
Arianna does not simply cultivate the land. She cultivates ideas, projects and relationships too, creating something unique and profoundly human.
A Storytelling Adventure Through Giglietti and PoetryTo make this documentary, I let the story guide me, without knowing exactly where it would lead. I had only a starting point: the story of the Giglietti and that of Laura and her sister Erminia. But I knew nothing about the location itself.
Once I arrived, I found myself on what felt like a real open-air film set. The light, the colours and the atmosphere were perfect, yet the story still felt incomplete, almost too thin.
It was only after filming that Laura told me about Marco, an introverted young man who was not particularly inclined to take part in this kind of project. Curiosity led me to meet him, and that changed everything.
Just one day with Marco was enough to ignite the spark that the story had been missing. Through his eyes and his passion, I rediscovered places I had almost overlooked, just a few kilometres from where I grew up, yet places I had never truly learned to appreciate.
Marco is a solitary artist, but his inner richness is reflected in every gesture and can be felt in every image.
Meeting him transformed the documentary into something deeper, a journey weaving together beauty, introspection and a new awareness of the familiar places that surround us.
A Story of History, Science and InnovationMaking this documentary was not easy, but the final result was incredibly rewarding. At the heart of the story, several fascinating elements come together: the legacy of ancient Rome, the strength of tradition, the precision of science and the boldness of innovation.
So many ingredients, so many characters, each with their own voice and perspective, which I tried to bring together into a single story.
The most exciting challenge of this work lies precisely in the process of discovery: a journey that lasted for months, shaped by attempts, encounters and insights. What began as an experiment, born of research and passion, eventually became an established reality, part of everyday life.
This documentary celebrates not only the result, but above all the journey itself, the dialogue between past and future that continues to surprise and inspire us.
A Story of Excellence and PassionThis documentary is a celebration of excellence. It is about the best bread I have ever tasted: not only Genzano bread, which lies at the heart of the story, but every single loaf Marco bakes with remarkable skill.
His knowledge of breadmaking goes far beyond the ordinary. It is the result of years of dedication, expertise and respect for tradition.
Watching him work is a genuine pleasure, an experience that engages all the senses. His hands shaping the dough, the precision of his gestures and his voice as he talks about the art of breadmaking all convey an authentic and infectious passion.
Marco does not simply make bread. He lives it, turning it into an everyday art form.
The Nolè Family: A Link Between Past and PresentThe Nolè family, in Pietragalla, offers a window into a distant past, preserving a way of life that they pass on to new generations. Every gesture, every tradition speaks of a deep connection to their roots, so much so that stepping into their world feels almost like entering an ancient tale.
The surroundings add to this feeling. These places seem to belong to an ancestral story, yet everything is real, alive and tangible.
It is precisely this authenticity that makes their world so fascinating and deeply meaningful.
Marco Sartore: A Farmer with a Capital FMarco Sartore embodies the most authentic essence of farming, Farming with a capital “F”.
With passion and dedication, together with his family and the community around him, he has become a point of reference for his local area.
Marco is not simply a farmer. He is a guide, a guardian of knowledge and traditions, combining awareness with expertise.
When we met, he welcomed me with great generosity, openly sharing the secrets and details of his specialised approach to farming, rooted in age-old practices and a profound connection with the land.
Lake Nemi: My Favourite SetLake Nemi holds a special place in my heart: it is my favourite set, a place I am always happy to return to.
At dawn, the light reflected on its waters creates an indescribable spectacle, a moment of pure magic that seems suspended in time. It was at this hour, at the right times of year, that I was fortunate enough to witness the different stages of whitefish fishing, breeding and the stocking of young fish.
With Carlo, whose experience and passion guided me through this fascinating process, every gesture took on a natural, almost poetic quality, creating a perfect balance between people and the environment.
Biodynamic Agriculture: Between Fascination and ControversyTelling stories about subjects such as biodynamic agriculture is a journey as fascinating as it is challenging. One false step is all it takes to move from discussing farming techniques to finding yourself caught up in debates about beliefs and even witchcraft applied to the land.
Biodynamic agriculture often divides opinion, inspiring enthusiasm on one side and scepticism on the other, with the two rarely finding common ground.
In Italy, Carlo Noro is one of the leading figures associated with this approach. Meeting him was a privilege. I was fascinated by his ability to explain the principles and nuances of this practice through anecdotes and reflections.
But what struck me most was the way he looks at the fruits of his land: with eyes full of joy, almost as if he wanted to thank them.
Watching him experience such a profound connection with nature was not only moving, but deeply instructive — an experience that invites us to reconsider our own relationship with the land.
Giuseppe Verri: The Creator of WorldsGiuseppe Verri has a rare gift: the ability to see beyond the surface of things. Every action, every creation becomes an expression filled with values, meaning and profound reflection. He is a true creator of worlds, a divine craftsman capable of giving form to the most authentic essence of everything around him.
But Giuseppe is not only a man of great sensitivity and vision. He is also someone who embraces life in all its nuances, always willing to question himself, with the courage of someone constantly striving to grow and reinvent himself.
This free and authentic approach to life struck me from the moment we first met. Finding myself in tune with his way of “living” came naturally, and spending time with him is always a pleasure.
Over time, we have become good friends, and every moment we share continues to be enriching and inspiring.
Gelato Artisans: Guardians of a Timeless ExcellenceMeeting some of the gelato makers who helped bring Italian excellence to the world was a truly enriching experience.
Above all because, as so often happens, great achievements are the work of the most unassuming people, those willing to give everything they have.
Even today, despite being retired, they continue to champion their region and their craft, both of which carry a rich history and countless fascinating stories.
Angela and the Art of Pasta: Where Excellence Meets SimplicityOnce again, this is a story about excellence. Angela has been making pasta all her life, and what she produces is undoubtedly among the finest you could hope to find.
But what truly makes her work special is the person behind it. Every encounter with Angela is a unique experience, enriched by the stories of her life and the passion she puts into every gesture.
Meeting people like Angela is as full of flavour as freshly made pasta prepared with care and love, where every ingredient tells a story and every dish becomes an authentic experience.
The Essence of a Tradition RenewedLet's start with the title: “Milk, Apples...”. This is more than just the beginning of a shopping list. It also marks the beginning of a journey through ordinary, everyday foods that carry a deeper meaning.
It is about the families who produce these essentials and who, with dedication, return to the same task season after season: feeding others, caring for and producing the food that eventually reaches our tables.
It is also an encounter between generations willing to question established ways, renewing their strength and determination as they continue to follow the natural rhythm of the seasons and the cycles of life.
It is an ongoing commitment to preserving the beauty and authenticity of a process that remains as natural as possible, even as time moves on.
Frascati: Beauty and IndulgenceIn this documentary, I immersed myself in a community and its many different facets. I stepped into the bakeries and kitchens of a place that, before being a tourist destination, is a cradle of beauty and a guardian of traditions and pleasures.
Frascati, home of Bacchus, has a way of making everyone cheerful and a little larger than life, a place where personal and family stories come together in a vivid portrait.
Perhaps it is precisely in the way these stories meet, mingle and intertwine that the true strength of Frascati lies: its ability to transform individual vitality into a collective narrative that shapes the identity of the place.
Second Lives and New PossibilitiesIn this documentary, I explore second lives and new possibilities, and how life can take an unexpected turn.
Quinto's story is that of a man who, after retiring, decided to take his life in a new direction, using his family's land to embark on a project that, although rooted in the soil, represents a genuine new beginning.
Quinto did more than simply change what he did: he discovered a deep connection with his land, something he had never expected to find.
His path crosses that of Costantino, a young chef from Naples who came to Cori and recognised the value of Quinto's new venture, using it to breathe new life into the area's food scene.
Their encounter shows how change and passion can transform an entire community, renewing traditions and creating new opportunities.
Graziella and the Heart of Monte PorzioGraziella is a force of nature. I could have devoted the entire documentary to her, but I would have strayed too far from its central theme — and sometimes guidelines can limit the spontaneity of a story.
Through Graziella, I could have told the story of the Serpette and of the entire community of Monte Porzio Catone. In fact, I could simply have recorded every word she said.
Even so, I managed to portray the place authentically, thanks in part to the little secrets she shared with me.
Monte Porzio, this “hidden gem” among the Castelli Romani, is a place where culture and beauty seem to emerge naturally. Walking through its narrow streets, you catch the scents of wine and butter — aromas that seem to tell the story of everyday life in a place that still retains its genuine soul.
An Encounter of Cinema and TraditionMeeting Sara brought back to me the delicate, poetic atmosphere of films by Lasse Hallström and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. I felt as though I were stepping into one of those stories of small artisan producers and handmade biscuits, somewhere among the hills of Burgundy or Provence.
Sara is exactly that: a story that seems to have come straight out of an arthouse film, offering us glimpses of a place that appears to exist in another dimension, far removed from the rush of everyday life.
Regina's PastarelleSometimes, a single detail is enough to open up an entire world. That is what happened when, for the birthday of my colleague and friend Alessandra Centra, Regina's sweets arrived straight from Roccagorga, Alessandra's hometown.
That first taste awakened something deep within me: a parallel world where childhood, with all its force and its desire to assert itself, demanded to be heard.
Primal instincts and narrative impulses intertwined, giving rise to a story that seems to come from a suspended time, distant yet still alive.
This little gem, born of authentic flavours and ancestral memories, is a journey into the kind of simplicity that can become extraordinary.
The Land as a Common ThreadTo understand the character of a place, you don't need to meet many people. You just need to meet the right ones.
Alvaro, Serena, Marco and Silvana are just a small part of a community that, across the plains of the province of Perugia, nurtures genuine passions and keeps alive the crafts and flavours of the past.
Behind them are entire families, bound together by a deep love for their land and for everything it provides. A community is truly rich when what it has is simple and can be shared: what could be more immediate than a dish that comes from the land itself, or an ornament shaped from that very same earth?
Throughout this journey, the land became the common thread connecting faces, gestures and stories. This is how the Middle Tiber Valley reveals itself: a place fertile not only in its soil, but in culture, connections and unexpected encounters.
Discovering LicenzaI knew the village and imagined it as an empty place, inhabited by tired people who had lost the desire to challenge themselves. But in telling its story, I truly began to see Licenza beyond the surface, and discovered quite the opposite: this is a place where people stay precisely because they want to challenge themselves.
To experience nature in all its grandeur, to feel part of history, to belong to a community that nurtures this connection every day.
Licenza is a place for the body before it is a place for the soul. It makes you want to move, to breathe, to do the things that restore you physically and, in turn, everything else.
It is as though healing begins with the legs, the hands, the breath, and only afterwards reaches the mind.
Where Quality Comes from RespectMeeting beekeepers is always fascinating: each of them seems to possess a touch of gentle madness.
Roberto is a father. A caring father. He understands what his bees need, anticipates those needs and looks after them.
In the documentary, I say that “he has been coming to these woods for over forty years: he hikes here and, during the summer, brings his bees here on holiday.”
And it is not a metaphor: it really is what they need.
Making this film was a learning experience, as every encounter born from telling the story of a place tends to be.
But Roberto was unique.
He showed me how the quality of what you produce says something about who you are, about your own well-being and that of others.
In his case, working with bees means working for the good of everyone.
To the Rhythm of a CommunityCorezzo is more than a physical place.
It is not simply somewhere to reach, but a way of life to experience.
Spending two days with the community of Corezzo means immersing yourself in their enthusiasm and their drive to make things happen. Watching them interact, rushing from one end of the village to the other like spinning tops, all working towards a common goal, is remarkably similar to the social behaviour of insects: bees and ants.
I will always carry with me the warmth and generosity they showed me. At moments like these, work and life inevitably begin to blend together, simply because the passion of those involved becomes something everyone shares.
Returning Home to Find Your PlaceThe Castelli Romani are home to me.
When I was growing up, my parents owned a piece of land in the area and, at weekends, whether by choice or circumstance, I often found myself there.
For a long time, I experienced this territory simply as somewhere to pass through: a quick route towards a quieter, more secluded destination, with the customary stop to buy some good bread or a little porchetta for lunch. It was a partial, and ultimately convenient, view that did not reflect the reality of the Castelli.
Over the years, as I returned at a slower pace and with a more conscious curiosity, I began to discover not only the places, but above all the people. I have filmed several documentaries here and, if there is one thing truly worth discovering, it is not the picture-postcard scenery: lakes, plains, hills and villages are already part of the familiar image of the area. The true heart of the Castelli Romani is its people.
Different towns reveal different characters: some are more reserved and rugged, while others surprise you with a warmth and hospitality worth far more than any polished image. It is not really about tourism, but about spirit, identity and a desire to make something of themselves that grows from within these communities.
The story of Maurizio, and of the small community he introduced me to and that I portray in this documentary, embodies exactly that. To find his own place, Maurizio left the corporate world behind and “returned to the village”. It was a genuine homecoming, welcomed with open arms, to a place where the land, work and human relationships once again become the centre of everything.
A Secular Nativity Made of Hands and GesturesOrvieto is almost always near the top of the list for anyone setting off from Rome, as I do, in search of a day trip: a change of scenery, vivid colours, urban beauty and a good Sunday lunch. It is a city that welcomes visitors naturally, as though it had been accustomed for centuries to the gaze of those who arrive.
In the story I tell, however, Orvieto is not so different from the way we imagine it. It is a small city whose economy relies largely on tourism: not only the fleeting weekend kind, but above all international visitors travelling through Italy with curiosity and care, looking for distinctive towns where local craftsmanship is still alive and visible. And that is precisely the portrait I wanted to capture.
Orvieto works like a secular nativity scene, rebuilt day after day. Every workshop is a scene; every craftsperson takes their place with precise, repeated, necessary gestures. There is no improvisation, but rather a collective choreography in which hospitality is organised in all its dimensions: work, time and human connection.
In this contemporary nativity scene, everyone takes part in the same quiet mission: to make those who arrive feel they have come to the right place. So that they will return. To buy again, to enjoy another good meal. Because life feels good here. Not because of a carefully constructed image, but because of the sum of hands, skills and human presence that keeps the city in balance, day after day.
Telling Stories Close to HomeHow difficult is it to tell the story of your own surroundings and the people you know without falling into what is expected of you?
I can only answer that question now, after this documentary has been broadcast.
Telling stories close to home is often more complicated than filming away from home. Finding the right balance when shooting on your own doorstep requires more attention, more restraint, more silence. It is almost a paradox, yet it is something that often comes with organising a crew when you decide to tell stories of this kind.
And yet, I couldn't avoid doing it. I needed to tell the story of these places. They are places I chose to call home because I loved them from the very first moment I set foot here.
I hope I managed not to be too biased. The heart I put into the writing, and the poetic dedication at the end, created more than a few difficulties along the way. But that is part of the risk of every sincere story: exposing yourself, taking a position, becoming personally involved.