Francesca Scalisi: Valentina and the MUOSters

Take a look at the poster photo: A young woman kissing a tree with a bouquet of crocheted flowers. One of the themes of the fine film made by Italian director Francesca Scalisi. Valentina is her name, she lives with her parents in a house close to MUOS, which is an American ultra-high frequency (UHF) satellite system that sends radio waves for communication, spoiling the nearby nature reserve – and the health of many, including the father of Valentina, who has a pacemaker that “does not like” the electromagnetism from the tall satellites behind the fence wire on the road, that he and Valentina take to get into the city.

The father’s health does not allow him to drive any longer so he teaches Valentina to take the wheel. The mother also teaches Valentina; how to react when she comes to an employment interview, she would like to work at a bakery. Valentina, she is near to 30, can not live from being an expert, from the film I would say an artist in crocheting. Her creative gene must come from the father, who is seen carefully nurturing his flowers around the house.

There are scenes from demonstrations against the American base and its damage to the nature, and Valentina takes part, but the main focus is on the family and their hard life with the constant electric sound as accompanying. That’s for the ear of the film viewer, whereas the visuals connect us with the nature and what Valentina feels for it, as the poster photo shows. Burning trees, but also ants and flowers. There is a good rythm, touching scenes, it’s a warm film that goes close to Valentina and her family – my favourite is the one, where her older sister comes home to visit sitting with her sister doing her nails. A true authentic scene.

Switzerland, Italy, 80 mins., 2024.