Shooting the Mafia is a documentary film that tells the story of Letizia Battaglia, an Italian photographer who has spent her career documenting the brutal violence and corruption of the Mafia in Sicily. Battaglia began her career as a photojournalist in the early 1970s, covering political and social issues in her home city of Palermo. However, it was her coverage of the Mafia's bloody reign of terror that brought her international recognition.
Through interviews with Battaglia and archival footage, Shooting the Mafia chronicles her courageous efforts to capture the truth about the Mafia's crimes. Her photographs were often the only record of the murders, bombings, and extortion that were happening with alarming frequency in Sicily in the 1980s and 1990s. Battaglia's work brought the reality of the Mafia's violence to the public, and her images played a key role in bringing about change.
The film also sheds light on Battaglia's personal life, including her struggles with depression and her complicated relationships with men. Despite these challenges, she continued to push forward with her work, using her camera as a weapon against those who sought to silence her.
Directed by Kim Longinotto, Shooting the Mafia received critical acclaim for its powerful depiction of Battaglia's work and the impact it had on Sicilian society. Through her photos and her unwavering courage, Letizia Battaglia became a symbol of resistance against the Mafia, and her story is an important reminder of the role that art and activism can play in effecting change.
