Film Commission Torino Piemonte

This project began as a personal investigation into the origins of my family. As a result of my research into Volodia, I was able to put together an archive of 12 photographs and 60 letters from Odessa, Turin, Chisinau and Paris, 20 brief messages written when Lisa was hiding in the convent, and documents that establish Lisa’s life in Italy. I haven’t completed my research on Volodia’s life yet, and I know very little of it beyond what I was able to gather from the letters. Much less than I was able to put together about the other members of my family. As I was researching, I realized that I could tell a centurylong, story about Europe. And that is what I’m interested in doing: tell a story about migrating in search of a better life; the opportunity to move, study and change jobs in a Europe that was open and accessible at the time; keeping ties with family and giving support that isn’t material; the changes that occurred because of legislation that closes borders and defines races. It is a story that is taking place now. Mine. Ours.