Di Fuoco e d'Ombra

2021|

Short Movie

Direction, Filmmaking, Executive Production

A Short Film About the Women Who Shaped the History of Vicenza

“Di Fuoco e d'Ombra” - Of Fire and Shadow - is a short film directed by Youssef DaLima, born from the need to shed light on the forgotten or never-before-told stories of extraordinary women who left a mark on the history of Vicenza.

Women who lived between silence and resistance, between everyday life and transformation, between the shadows of official history and the fire of lives capable of leaving a lasting impact. Partisans, educators, activists, entrepreneurs, artists — female figures who helped shape the civil and cultural fabric of the city, often without receiving the recognition they deserved.

The project, created on a modest budget, was supported by the Municipality of Vicenza, sponsored by the Veneto Region, and backed by various local organizations — including museums, foundations, and Confartigianato — who helped foster a valuable synergy. Thanks to this collaboration, it was possible to access normally off-limits locations, during a time marked by strict pandemic restrictions and the silence of quarantine.

All of this was made possible by a small crew of young local professionals, united by the determination to keep creating — even in the darkest moment.

A journey through cinema and collective memory

The short film goes beyond simple historical reconstruction, offering a contemporary reinterpretation of these women’s lives. It gives them voice and presence through powerful imagery, symbolic sequences, and a directing style that is both essential and poetic.

Created with the support of the association L’Ideazione and the executive production of Onymous Studios, the project is part of a broader initiative to highlight the female heritage of the Vicenza area.

The short film is based on the book of the same name, co-written by Vicenza-based writer Rossella Menegato and historian Manuela Brocco. The book explores the lives of 33 women whose stories are intertwined with the history of Vicenza, shedding light on female figures who left a significant mark on the city’s culture and society.

Rossella Menegato is known for her commitment to social issues, as reflected in her book "Schegge. Per favore, non chiamateli uomini!" (“Shards. Please, Don’t Call Them Men!”), a collection of 26 true stories of violence, mostly set in the Vicenza area.
Manuela Brocco is a historian and tour guide, author of several books on Vicenza’s history and legends, actively contributing to the preservation and promotion of the region’s cultural heritage.

The plot focuses exclusively on real-life women who lived in different eras in the city of Vicenza, whose personal stories left a mark—often forgotten—on the fabric of the city. While the book features 33 portraits, the short film chooses to tell the stories of 11 of them, presented in the form of a mockumentary, giving voice to their lives through “reconstructed” testimonies.

Women such as Arpalice Cuman and Elisa Salerno—the latter a pioneer of feminist thought and a theologically controversial figure for her time; artists stifled by patriarchal rules like painter Rosa Pozzolo; victims of a deeply unjust society like Domenica, a working-class woman; and revolutionary figures like Beatrice Salvi Anselmi and Maria Montecchi.

In parallel, the film weaves in the perspectives of 10 contemporary young women, drawing lines of continuity, rupture, and reflection between past and present—between what has been, and what might still be.

A Work That Has Traveled

The short film was presented at the Regione Veneto Pavilion during the 78th Venice International Film Festival, in a section dedicated to social and memory-based cinema. It was warmly received for its powerful ability to give shape and voice to the silenced stories of many women.

Following its premiere in Piazza dei Signori in front of an audience of 700 people, “Of Fire and Shadow” began its journey across the region, with screenings organized in collaboration with institutions, associations, cultural centers, and—most importantly—schools. The project has become part of an educational and civic initiative to raise awareness around gender equality, active citizenship, and historical memory.

This short film is an act of collective recognition—an invitation to rediscover the female roots of local history. It is also an educational tool, designed to engage in dialogue with new generations and spark meaningful reflections on rights, identity, and memory.

“Of Fire and Shadow” was born in Vicenza, but it speaks to all communities that still seek light, voice, and truth.

Crew: