Di Fuoco e d'Ombra - Short Movie

2021|

Short Movie

Direction, Filmmaking, Executive Production

A Short Film About the Women Who Shaped the History of Vicenza

“Di Fuoco e d'Ombra” (Of Fire and Shadow) is a short film directed by Youssef DaLima, born from the need to shed light on the forgotten or never-before-told stories of extraordinary women who left a mark on the history of Vicenza.

The short film is based on "Di Fuoco e d'Ombra — Voci di donna in una città d'autore", published by Cierre Grafica in 2020 and co-written by Vicenza-based writer Rossella Menegato and historian Manuela Brocco. The book explores the lives of 33 women whose stories are intertwined with the history of Vicenza, from the Roman era to the mid-twentieth century.

Women who lived between silence and resistance, between everyday life and transformation, between the shadows of official history and the fire of lives capable of leaving a lasting impact. Partisans, educators, activists, entrepreneurs, artists, female figures who helped shape the civil and cultural fabric of the city, often without receiving the recognition they deserved.

The project, created on a modest budget, was supported by the Municipality of Vicenza, sponsored by the Veneto Region, and backed by various local organizations — including museums, foundations, and Confartigianato — who helped foster a valuable synergy. Thanks to this collaboration, it was possible to access normally off-limits locations, during a time marked by strict pandemic restrictions and the silence of quarantine.

All of this was made possible by a small crew of young local professionals, united by the determination to keep creating, even in the darkest moment.

A journey through cinema and collective memory

The short film goes beyond simple historical reconstruction, offering a contemporary reinterpretation of these women’s lives. It gives them voice and presence through powerful imagery, symbolic sequences, and a directing style that is both essential and poetic.

Created with the support of the association L’Ideazione and the executive production of Onymous Studios, the project is part of a broader initiative to highlight the female heritage of the Vicenza area.

The short film is based on the book of the same name, co-written by Vicenza-based writer Rossella Menegato and historian Manuela Brocco. The book explores the lives of 33 women whose stories are intertwined with the history of Vicenza, shedding light on female figures who left a significant mark on the city’s culture and society.

Rossella Menegato is known for her commitment to social issues, as reflected in her book "Schegge. Per favore, non chiamateli uomini!" (“Shards. Please, Don’t Call Them Men!”), a collection of 26 true stories of violence, mostly set in the Vicenza area.
Manuela Brocco is a historian and tour guide, author of several books on Vicenza’s history and legends, actively contributing to the preservation and promotion of the region’s cultural heritage.

The plot focuses exclusively on real-life women who lived in different eras in the city of Vicenza, whose personal stories left a mark—often forgotten—on the fabric of the city. While the book features 33 portraits, the short film chooses to tell the stories of 11 of them, presented in the form of a mockumentary, giving voice to their lives through “reconstructed” testimonies.

Women such as Arpalice Cuman and Elisa Salerno—the latter a pioneer of feminist thought and a theologically controversial figure for her time; artists stifled by patriarchal rules like painter Rosa Pozzolo; victims of a deeply unjust society like Domenica, a working-class woman; and revolutionary figures like Beatrice Salvi Anselmi and Maria Montecchi.

In parallel, the film weaves in the perspectives of 10 contemporary young women, drawing lines of continuity, rupture, and reflection between past and present—between what has been, and what might still be.

A Work That Has Traveled

The short film was presented at the Regione Veneto Pavilion during the 78th Venice International Film Festival, in a section dedicated to social and memory-based cinema, in collaboration with Vicenza Film Commission and the Consorzio Vicenza È.

Following its première in Piazza dei Signori (Vicenza) during VIOFF in front of an audience of 700 people, "Di Fuoco e d'Ombra" began its journey across the region: it was screened at the Sala Civica Corte delle Filande in Montecchio Maggiore for International Women's Day (2022), at Galleria Celeste in Vicenza as part of the "Donne Coraggiose" contemporary art exhibition, and at the institutional events organized by the Municipality of Vicenza for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (2024).

The project has become part of a broader educational and civic initiative, with screenings organized in collaboration with institutions, associations, cultural centers, and schools to raise awareness around gender equality, active citizenship, and historical memory.

This short film is an act of collective recognition, an invitation to rediscover the female roots of local history. It is also an educational tool, designed to engage in dialogue with new generations and spark meaningful reflections on rights, identity, and memory.

“Of Fire and Shadow” was born in Vicenza, but it speaks to all communities that still seek light, voice, and truth.

Filming Locations" (dati dalla Vicenza Film Commission)

Shot entirely in the historic centre of Vicenza during the pandemic, the film transforms some of the city's most iconic landmarks into its stage: Piazza dei Signori, Basilica Palladiana, Biblioteca Bertoliana, Palazzo Chiericati, the Roman Cryptoporticus, Palazzo Leoni Montanari, the Cathedral, and Torre di Porta Santa Croce, many of which were made accessible thanks to the institutional support behind the project.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

What is Di Fuoco e d'Ombra?
"Di Fuoco e d'Ombra" (Of Fire and Shadow) is a 2021 short film directed by Youssef DaLima, telling the stories of 11 extraordinary women who shaped the history of Vicenza but were largely forgotten by official narratives. It is based on the book of the same name by Rossella Menegato and Manuela Brocco.

Where was Di Fuoco e d'Ombra presented?
The film was presented at the Regione Veneto Pavilion during the 78th Venice International Film Festival (2021) and premièred in Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza, in front of 700 people. It has since been screened across the Veneto region at institutional events, art exhibitions, and schools.

Where was the film shot?
Entirely in the historic centre of Vicenza, using landmark locations including Basilica Palladiana, Biblioteca Bertoliana, Palazzo Chiericati, the Roman Cryptoporticus, Palazzo Leoni Montanari, the Cathedral, and Torre di Porta Santa Croce — many opened exclusively for the production during pandemic restrictions.

Who produced Di Fuoco e d'Ombra?
The film was produced by the association L'IdeAzione A.P.S. with executive production by Onymous Studios, supported by the Municipality of Vicenza and sponsored by the Veneto Region.

Does Onymous Studios produce socially engaged short films?
Yes. Onymous Studios produces short films and documentary projects that combine cinematic craft with social impact, from memory-based storytelling to educational content for institutions and schools.

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