Mirella

“Several years ago, I began writing down ideas for future documentary films. One note simply read: ‘A film about Mirella Ricciardi, the African photographer.’ Later, while studying documentary film in London, I finally had the chance to meet her. My initial plan was to tell her life story through interviews and archives, but our first meeting changed everything. I wrote in my diary: ‘We got along straight away and talked a lot. Mirella agreed to take part in my project, on the condition that her face would not be filmed, which I accepted.’ To me, a documentary is above all a record of relationships. Over time, I built a bond of trust with Mirella and her family, which became the foundation of this film and made the journey deeply personal. I often think about how far chains of inspiration can reach. Mirella was inspired by her mother to take up photography; she, in turn, inspired me to make this film. Perhaps this chain will continue.”