Ivana Corsale

Campania In-Felix Teaser Trailer

2009-09-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

This is probably the most important work I've ever done in my life and it's still under production.

Last summer, I, together with my dearest colleague photographer Matt Nager visited Naples, located in the southern region of Campania in Italy, to shoot the trailer of an important documentary, titled Campania In-Felix (unhappy country).

To give you a short synopsis of the film::

For nearly two decades, Campania, the southern region of Italy where Naples is located, has witnessed an ongoing practice of illegal toxic material dumping in rural and inhabited areas. The management of waste material in the region has been in the hands of the Camorra - a mafia organization with vast economic and political power .The film will explore the presumed connection between waste, health and environment in the area of the Triangle of Death between the towns of Acerra, Nola and Marigliano, recognized by local doctors as the most polluted area of the region.

The documentary will be entirely produced during the summer of 2010 and will have as main subjects, people who live in the triangle of death area and are affected by cancer and other illnesses because of the direct exposure to toxic substances.

As I said before, this is a very important work because it uncovers one of the most dramatic and urgent crises of Italy - the tight connection between waste, environment, health and the overwhelming power of the Camorra that fully manages the waste situation in southern Italy. It's an issue that needs to be discussed and exposed and I hope that for now you will enjoy this teaser trailer.

Roberto Saviano on the topic of Camorra

2009-03-30T18:27:00.001-07:00

Someone I know has insisted I should update my blog. And I know she's right 100 percent. So here's something that aired on Italian TV last week.

Roberto Saviano, author of Gomorrah, was host of Che Tempo Che Fa, an Italian TV show. Saviano talked about the immense power of the Camorra and how the Italian media shapes, controls and manipulates information. Very scary reality that gave me a good dose of anxiety and anger.

I feel so bad for Saviano. He deserves a life. The problem is and remains that people's lack of response lets easily the Camorra gain power - a power that is, according to Saviano, far superior than the Italian government.

Here's Saviano talking on public television. It's all in Italian.

In media res

2009-02-15T12:42:00.000-08:00

...in the middle of things/action. An expression I learned this past week and I hope I will never forget it. Reason why I wrote it down in this post.

Snow day without snow

2009-01-27T12:35:00.000-08:00

This is Texas for you.

Classes at UNT have been canceled for inclement weather...in reality there is no snow, just a bit of ice on the roads. One day behind schedule, one day of reading and catching up....and maybe a movie or two later in the day.

Not so bad after all....

New Website launched

2009-01-26T09:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's the new year. And with the new year, I am hoping to start a new phase of productivity and generally good work.

I have just put online my personal portfolio Web site...and it's really the first time for me launching a personal site. It's exciting. I'm hoping to use this site as a platform to show my media work. Right now, it shows the video work I have done during my time at The Dallas Morning News.

And I happily announce....my site:

www.ivanacorsale.com

History repeats itself

2008-04-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

I've been following the political events in my own country, Italy, with mixed feelings of worry, disbelief and sadness.

In the last political election, one sign was clear to me. The left party disappeared and left the right wing with incommensurable power.

It seems to me that the concept of checks and balances totally disappeared, leaving the path open to extremists and political fanatics.

I don't know about my Italian folks but I'm kind of seeing a deja vu here. And my deja vu was even confirmed by this photo I saw today in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. Romans were celebrating the victory of the new mayor of Rome, Alemanno, waving their hands with a fascist greeting. I don't know about you but images like this one make me think that Italians have forgotten about their past. And they really make me angry.

I think when I get into grad school, I will seriously think about doing a short documentary in Italy. It's definitely a good time to document a few things.

People on camera

2008-04-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

I took this photo this weekend. I'm kind of proud of this picture....maybe because I never shoot photos of people. I find it a little intimidating and more difficult. But I really like this one and if Matt likes it, I like it even more :)

Acupuncture

2008-04-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

Today I did acupuncture. For the first time. I was nervous at the beginning because I had no idea what was going to happen. Well, now I should say I wish I could afford acupuncture more often!

My symptoms have somewhat ceased and I have a feeling of general relaxation. Is it just on my mind? I would say maybe partly but not completely. It definitely took my stress out for the day.

I'll do another, last (sigh!) session on Monday. I liked it!

Austin, SXSW and more...

2008-03-16T11:14:00.001-07:00

Last Thursday I went to Austin during the SXSW. It's hard not to get excited about Austin, especially when you live in a so much boring city like Dallas.

Austin is definitely a vibrant city with good looking, young people walking or riding bikes in parks or around the city. The sense of community is there and is nice to see and feel.

SXSW definitely made the city more vibrant. I saw one of my favorite Italian musicians perform - Vinicio Capossela.

I also took some photos that you can see here below.

The only good thing left in this country is....

2008-02-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

Barack!! Go vote people!!! You that you can, go vote and make a difference.

Check these photos.

Something good

2008-02-28T13:08:00.001-08:00

Maybe beyond my pessimism about health care and my own health, I should turn page myself and start with a fresher, more positive topic.

Well, some good news arrived a couple of weeks ago. Next fall, I will start a new academic path in documentary. I was recently accepted to an mfa program in documentary. This means three more years in Dallas. It's going to be tough but hopefully new, good challenges will come my way.

I'm excited. I'm ready to start something new and challenging.

For now, I'm just searching for money - in form of scholarships, fellowships or whatever. Money is money. $$$$ :)

No gallstones...then what is it?!

2008-02-28T12:49:00.000-08:00

So, the mystery about the gallbladder has yet to be revealed. The result of my test was normal. No gallstones. My gallbladder, my liver look fine. So what is it? What is it that wakes me up in the middle of the night every month and keeps me in miserable conditions for long hours?

I guess the diagnosis won't come as easy as I thought. Tomorrow, I'll go back to the hospital for a follow-up visit. More of the same....or as someone would say, "It's bullshit time!" Exactly.

American healthcare system.....ahhhh, that would deserve not just an entire new blog, but an entire new chapter. This is one of the aspects that when I puke as I'm sick, it makes me want to puke on America.

Yeah. Can someone reset the healthcare system?? Wake me up when you're done. RESET!!

Me and my gallbladder

2008-02-22T19:44:00.000-08:00

Now that my constant stress about the gre is over and am done thinking about school and tests of that sort, I can move on with life. But another important test is coming up on Monday. And this is more important than scores and numbers on the gre. It's about my health.

I'm doing an ultrasound on Monday to find out why my gallbladder is being so capricious. For the past six months, me and my gallbladder have been on a constant fight, not getting along at all. Every month I get sick, like I've never been sick before and I feel like I'm about to die.

So, for lack of health coverage and personal stubborness, I refused in six months to go see a doctor, hoping that the painful and long attacks would cease at one point.

Well, they didn't.

They actually continued. So, after six months of pure sickness, I decided to force myself into a strict diet. Only whole wheat, very few veggies, like beets, carrots and potatoes. Everything boiled. Nothing raw. No meat, no eggs, no chocolate, no coffee. NO fat whatsoever. It's probably the worst treatment human beings can give to themselves. The worst punishment - not being able to eat the things they like. It's worse than abstinence from sex. It's a deprivation of one of the best pleasures in life. Not that sex is not one of them...but believe me, food reaches another level, I think.

So, Monday is the day. The big day. I will found out what's wrong with my gallbladder and how many stones, if any, I have.

For now, I keep dieting...and unfortunately lose weight that I don't need to lose. But one day, one day, hopefully soon enough, I'll be able again to eat a slice of pizza, a few delicacies that I think I have almost forgotten their taste and experience the bliss that only good food can provide.

For now, I'll leave you with a sad, baked potato I ate last Sunday in Fort Worth. Sigh!

The GRE hour is approaching fast

2008-02-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

I'm taking the gre in a couple of hours today. A little nervous but I can't wait to be done with it. Hope it goes well and will help me get a generous fellowship. After this, I'm almost done with tests....well, not until Monday for another and maybe more important test. Will post photos soon....

Again I'm here on this blogosphere!

2008-02-20T20:50:00.000-08:00

content is coming soon, but very soon. For now, wish me good luck on the gre tomorrow!!