The film industry is undergoing swift changes, with its social responsibilities coming to the forefront of industry discussions. Alessia Mandanici is a filmmaker known for her inventive and impactful work. She is dedicated to exploring social issues through her films, and offers her perspective on how cinema can go beyond entertainment to drive societal change. Her dedication to using film as a tool to provoke thought and inspire action highlights the potent blend of artistic expression and social impact.
Residing in New York City, Mandanici, a graduate of NYU Tisch School’s Film Program, leverages her diverse skills in music, graphic design, and filmmaking to create compelling stories that inspire and foster change. As the co-founder of Holy Cannoli Films, her productions are designed to initiate dialogue and encourage social discourse.
Mandanici’s creative path is richly shaped by her multicultural upbringing in Mainz, Germany, with a German mother and an Italian father. Her early engagement with music eventually led her to discover filmmaking—a field where she could merge her varied interests. Her pivotal moment came during a film project in design school, which not only highlighted her diverse talents but also garnered praise and screenings at the Berlin International Film Festival, solidifying her career as a storyteller who intricately weaves her cultural and artistic backgrounds into her work.
Photo: Alessia Mandanici, Filmmaker
Defining Social Impact in Filmmaking
Social impact in filmmaking, for Mandanici, means producing films that address significant issues in such a manner that they resonate deeply with the audience, compelling them to consider making a change. A film with social impact avoids showcasing ego or vanity, whether in front of or behind the camera. It often focuses on a specific incident or individual not to highlight personal suffering or success but to illuminate broader issues—like using a single grain of sand to help viewers realize they’re part of a much larger beach.
Mandanici believes that filmmakers hold a responsibility to address and attempt to amend societal wrongs through their work. They have the unique ability to highlight issues in an entertaining way that engages audiences, making them more receptive to their messages. This role is not just an opportunity but a profound and sacred duty.
In her approach, artistic expression and social impact are not in conflict. They are deeply intertwined. The desire to convey a message drives the artistic methods she chooses, allowing the story itself to guide the expression. In this way, artistic creativity and the intent to influence society enhance each other, creating a powerful synergy that defines her work.
Photo: Mandanici on set
The Transformative Power of Film
Mandanici views film as a potent medium for societal change, emphasizing its unique ability to deliver messages in a visceral and sensual manner. Unlike written communication, which requires a deliberate engagement from the audience, watching a film is a more passive experience, making it easier for viewers to receive and absorb the story. The real challenge lies not in capturing the audience’s attention—since once they watch a film, the visuals and narratives are indelible—but in what they choose to do with the message they’ve received. Mandanici herself recalls films that have radically altered her behavior and perspectives, highlighting the medium’s profound impact.
One film that notably shifted her understanding of social issues is Nina Menkes’ ‘Brainwashed’. This film explores how women and their bodies are portrayed on screen in contrast to men, delving into the sexual politics of cinematic shot design. While the Me Too movement has made discussions about the objectification of women more mainstream, ‘Brainwashed’ shed light on the pervasive sexism embedded in film, which was eye-opening for Mandanici. Despite her education in a film school committed to equality and diversity, she realized she had unwittingly been objectifying female characters based on conventional cinematic techniques. This revelation disturbed her and has since fundamentally changed how she creates and views films. Mandanici now finds herself unable to enjoy films that display overt sexism, as it completely undermines her artistic appreciation. The awareness of the male gaze in any form compels her to leave the theater, reflecting her commitment to challenging and changing the norms of cinematic representation.
Photo: From the film Schwarzmoll
Championing Diversity and the Future of Social Impact Filmmaking
Alessia Mandanici believes in the inherent diversity of voices in filmmaking. Films, by their collaborative nature, naturally encompass a wide range of voices if the stage is set inclusively. A good script gives each character a distinct voice, which is then interpreted by the director and brought to life by actors. Additionally, every element of a film, from set design and lighting to editing and music, represents creative decisions by individuals contributing their unique perspectives. For Mandanici, directing is about ensuring these diverse voices coalesce into a unified narrative without losing their individual distinctiveness. When choosing collaborators, she seeks out those from varied backgrounds, not to check demographic boxes but to include genuinely inspiring voices that enhance the film’s impact.
Looking ahead, Mandanici is contemplative about the evolution of social impact filmmaking, especially in light of recent industry changes and the closing of Participant, a major company known for its commitment to social impact media. This event raises questions about the sustainability and future directions of socially engaged media. Moreover, the personal toll on documentarians, who often face severe trauma from their work, underscores the need for safer, possibly technologically aided, methods of storytelling. Despite the rise of AI and other technologies, Mandanici is confident that human creativity and sensitivity will remain central to social impact filmmaking.
However, Mandanici is concerned about changing audience consumption habits, particularly the decreasing attention spans driven by frequent use of platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This trend, which affects not only the young but all generations, poses significant challenges for filmmakers aiming to engage deeply with audiences. The pervasive addiction to digital stimuli, likened to the constant excitement of Las Vegas, highlights an urgent need for a shift in how media is consumed if meaningful films are to retain their impact and relevance.
PHOTO: From the film “Lentini”
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The Next Chapter Focused on Mandanici’s Forthcoming Film Endeavors
Mandanici is gearing up to captivate audiences with her upcoming cinematic projects, each promising to engage and provoke thought. Her feature film, ‘Wiegenlied’ (‘Lullaby’), currently in the financing stage, delves into the themes of memory and healing. The narrative follows a neurologist whose intense curiosity leads her on a personal odyssey into her haunted past, exploring the depths of human psyche and recovery. Alongside this, her recent short film, ‘Schwarzmoll’ (‘Blackmoll’), which is making its rounds on the festival circuit, offers viewers a unique take on reality and familial relationships through the eyes of a seven-year-old girl grappling with her grandmother’s dementia. Additionally, her 2022 short film ‘Lentini’ continues to be featured in international film festivals, providing a touching exploration of a young woman’s search for identity and connection within the rich backdrop of Sicilian culture. Together, these works exemplify Mandanici’s ongoing dedication to crafting stories that not only resonate with emotional truth but also reflect her commitment to portraying humanity with nuanced subtlety.
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