Shooting the Mafia

SHOOTING THE MAFIA - SCREEN IRELAND

After Dreamcatcher and Pink Saris, documentarian Kim Longinotto continues her trend of highlighting the stunning and hidden work of women around the globe, this time with Longinotto's eye focusing on the tremendous and profound activism from Letizia Battaglia.

Shooting the Mafia, in the same vein as her body of work in general, is an egoless and compelling feature that expertly paints a captivating story of its subject. Wonderfully crafted, the documentary explores in-depth an array of themes and arcs to a genuinely engaging and enlightening matter. There is no other documentarian working today like Longinotto, who dives as deep under the surface as she does without evoking a sense of abrasiveness. 

Longinotto organically and honestly explores the subject of this feature by exposing the most intimate and fascinating details that, while seemingly irrelevant at the moment, ultimately curate a thematically rich and thoroughly enchanting film. Longinotto leaves no stone unturned here and with the noble and ridiculously expansive story courtesy of subject Letizia Battaglia, it becomes clear why every detail is necessary.

Additionally, it is astonishing that Longinotto and editor Ollie Huddleston have managed to condense such a story that is Shooting the Mafia into the space of just over ninety minutes. What the pair have achieved in conveying so much in so little time is a testament to their skill. The balance of pace and upkeep of information is wonderfully captured in perfect harmony – partly due to the expertise the duo possesses and partly due to enriching personality of chain-smoking photographer and activist Letizia Battaglia. 

The open book that is Letizia Battaglia is an absolute delight to experience through the master storytelling. Each scene ranges from solemn spectacle to intimate personal detail that will shock the viewer to their core. The life Battaglia has lived is one unique and powerful, yet her obsession with bringing justice against those who have been wronged, through standing for something bigger than her ego and accepting the person she is against a society that prides itself on normalcy is, by far, the most heartfelt aspect of the documentary. 

To hear this story of Letizia Battaglia alone is nothing short of a privilege. The weight and layers Longinotto crafts in this intimate and delicate portrait is elevated and stunning, an additional reminder that not only is Longinotto a fabulous filmmaker but her feature Shooting the Mafia is another outstanding venture from the veteran documentarian that demands to be seen.