The London Film School (LFS) alumnus Alberto Boldini started writing scripts for short films while he was studying Literature and Philosophy in Italy. After joining LFS, he developed his technical skills by working as a cinematographer and editor whilst also discovering an unexpected interest in documentaries, the focus of term 3 for filmmakers on the MAF course. Boldini took this experience and used it to create a full length feature documentary entitled THE INVISIBLE WORD, which on Tuesday 17th January will take the next step of its journey by being released on multiple online platforms. Distributed by Journeyman Pictures, the documentary will be available on Amazon, iTunes, Hulu, Google Play, Sony Entertainment Network, Microsoft Movies & TV (Xbox Video): "I sent the film to several distributors and we ended up with 2 to 3 offers. Journeyman Pictures have a good reputation and, even though they obviously asked for a 52' version (the original was 90'), they gave us absolute freedom and we made all the final decisions with no interference from them."
Filmed in Italian with English subtitles, THE INVISIBLE WORD centres on Cesano, a small town on the outskirts of Rome. What sets it apart is the vast Vatican Radio transmitter site that sits on the edge of town. At night the tall crucifix-shaped antenna is illuminated red and can be seen from miles away. When the emissions are particularly high, residents of Cesano can even hear the radio through their phones, intercoms and even pipes. In 2010 an epidemiological study ordered by the judge suggested that there was “an important, coherent and significant link between residential exposure to the Vatican Radio structures and an excessive risk of death from leukaemia and lymphoma” in the people living nearby. In response, residents of Cesano have formed a committee and have engaged in a lengthy legal battle against Vatican Radio. THE INVISIBLE WORD tells this story through a unique mix of interviews, archive footage and home movies from the families who have been involved in this highly controversial case for the past 15 years.
As the distributor continue to hold talks with broadcasters, Bolidini is already thinking about his next project: "I'm working on two new documentary ideas. Also, I'm going to start working at an advertising agency in a few weeks."
Click here to watch a trailer for the documentary, and follow on Facebook for more information and updates.
Photo Credit: Kostas Gerampinis
Written by Ben Corbett