Daphne Was a Torso Ending in Leaves

Daphne, a nymph from classical mythology who transformed into a laurel tree to escape a pursuing god, is celebrated here as a heroine and author of her own fate. The short film is shot in 16mm in a contemporary Rome unexpectedly rich in references to the woman-tree, from the crowns worn by young graduates to classical sculptures, including the famous one by Bernini, from hedges in parks to the frescoes of majestic villas. In the film, the dedication to Daphne goes beyond the representation of the myth and becomes the very essence of the film stock used by the artist, subjected to a development process derived from a laurel infusion, which the viewer is invited to witness visually.