Return to Arturo’s Island

I discovered the isle of Procida thanks to its teenagers. First, through the protagonist of Elsa Morante’s 1957 book “Arturo’s island”; later, with the youth who now inhabit it.

Inspired by Arturo, the boy-hero by the name of a star who leads, all alone, a wild and magical life in Italy in the late 30s, my project follows a group of teens to tell this delicate and tumultuous period of their lives. I am interested to observe and understand how they go through adolescence on such a small island, of only 4 square kilometers, where they no doubt grow up freer than they would in a city, but perhaps more protected and subjected to fewer stimuli. I like entering their lives, being accepted (almost) as their equal, getting to know their favorite spots with them.

Their roots are deep, sometimes they dream of faraway places, but always with the idea of ultimately returning to stay.