KRISIS, 11min., Italy
DIrected by Luca Mazzara
"Krisis" is a short movie that follows the emotional journey of a woman facing mental and physical illness and the isolation caused by painful events. Through the contact with nature, she transforms suffering into a new interpretation of life, discovering the inner strength to overcome pain and embrace joy. An ode to human resilience and the healing power of nature.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

What motivated me to create Krisis was, above all, love and a shared intention. The protagonist and I consciously decided to experiment together — to try to enter a subtle, living world filled with beauty. She has been living with illness for years, and my desire was to create a space where she could reconnect with well-being, even temporarily. Through contact with nature — plants, trees, the sea — and through simplicity and authentic human presence, something very real happened: for a moment she was able to re-experience a sense of health that had been missing for a long time. Witnessing this felt almost like magic, and it confirmed my belief in the healing power of beauty and human connection.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The production itself took a few weeks. Many narrative elements emerged spontaneously and naturally during the process, because the film was closely connected to real experiences we were living in that moment.

3. How would you describe your film in two words?

Transformative tenderness.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

I did not encounter major obstacles. The protagonist had an extraordinary ability to adapt to the role because she had genuinely experienced some of the suffering portrayed in the film. This authenticity made the process fluid and deeply truthful.

5. What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?

My favorite stage is production, when life itself enters the film. It is the moment where reality, emotion, and unpredictability transform ideas into something alive and meaningful.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I realized that I wanted to make films when I understood that cinema could be more than storytelling — it could be a tool for connection, exploration, and even healing. The first film I saw in a movie theater was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which moved me deeply. I was profoundly touched by its humanity, even though it told the story of a being coming from another world.

What fascinated me most was the purity of the bond between the characters, the film's ability to speak about diversity without fear, and to show that encountering what is "other" can become an experience of love and transformation. The presence of nature and childhood in the story also made me feel, even at that age, how cinema could reach very deep parts of the human being.

7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?

Dead Man by Jim Jarmusch, starring Johnny Depp. I have watched it many times and I feel a strong connection with its relationship to nature, spirituality, and inner journeys.

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?

In a perfect world, I would love to collaborate with Wim Wenders, a filmmaker I deeply admire for his sensitivity, his capacity for listening, and the way he creates an authentic dialogue between human beings, landscapes, and inner dimensions. I feel a strong affinity with his poetic gaze and his attention to the relationship between people and places.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the platform?

My experience with FilmFreeway has been very positive. It provides an accessible way for independent filmmakers to connect with festivals internationally and share their work.

10. What is your favorite meal?

My favorite dish is eggplant lasagna, along with simple meals rich in Mediterranean aromas, such as spaghetti with basil, mozzarella, and fresh tomatoes. I love food that evokes the earth, the sun, and a sense of conviviality.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Yes, Krisis has opened an important new path for me. At the moment, I am focusing mainly on documentaries. I am currently developing two projects: one about the beneficial power of laughter, and another about the world of work, centered on generational comparison.