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Nov. 20 - Nov. 27, 2011 |
Revealing An Invisible Threat
Director Simona Risi documents an Asbestos-Infested Houses in Italy
Originally Published: 2011-10-09
“How does one live spending entire days next to crumbling asbestos cement walls? How can one not think that any moment could become quietly fatal?” This is the question Simona Risi asks herself in her documentary White Houses. Drawing the viewer into a story that is as real as it is dramatic, one cannot help but reflect upon watching it. The film by the young Milanese director takes a look at the harsh reality of a social housing unit south east of Milan that was built with an asbestos layer covering the walls. It “stars” the committee that for years has been informing condo owners of the health risks and lobbying the city to redevelop the area.
“Let’s hope the evil beast hasn’t struck me,” owners say in reference to the asbestos. There’s Oscar, Paolo and Elena (former Milanese punk rocker of the ’80s), Rosa, and housewife Graziella. They are the heart and soul of the committee resident on via Feltrinelli (street) that has informed and convinced The White residents about the danger known as asbestos for years. They carry forward an obstinate high-profile battle against the institutions, they reveal truths that make one reflect on the health effects, they discuss, argue, and seek solutions.
And ultimately they succeed: the city decides to redevelop and seek the relocation of the 150 families from those homes referred to as “white houses”, not because they were built with Carrara marble, but because of the colour of the covering of asbestos that was banned in 1992.
Today, those families live elsewhere, but after many years of exposure to that killer dust, they cannot say the worst is over. They still live with the fear and memory of the many who fell ill, or the youths who have died of cancer. This is vital information Risi has all documented after spending a year and a half filming in that social housing unit in Rogoredo district built in 1986. A twenty-five year history of battles, demonstrations, assertions, charges, about 50 deaths, and another 28 falling ill.
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