On La7's "Proserpina and the Others," a documentary about violence against women in art

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, tomorrow, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, La7 will broadcast in world premiere at 11:30 p.m. the documentary Proserpina e le altre, written and directed by Mariangela Barbanente with the collaboration of Consuelo Lollobrigida and produced by GA&A Productions.

The work addresses a crucial and for too long neglected issue: the “normalization” of violence against women through the history of art, literature, film and television. Beginning with ancient masterpieces to the provocations of contemporary art, the documentary invites reflection on the cultural representations that have helped perpetuate stereotypes and practices of oppression, often concealed behind beauty and aesthetics.

Art and violence: a hidden history

Through a narrative that weaves art history, sociocultural analysis, and international expert testimony, Proserpina and the Others traces centuries of artistic representations that have codified violence against women as an acceptable or even erotic element.

From the sarcophagi of ancient Rome to the paintings of Tintoretto and Titian to the works of Degas, many iconic representations of the past have immortalized violated or submissive female figures, such as Proserpina, Lucretia, and Susanna. Art, therefore, did not merely reflect the social context, but helped construct a narrative in which women’s bodies were objectified and violence normalized.

In parallel, the documentary devotes space to great women artists, from Artemisia Gentileschi, who boldly painted the brutality of the violence she suffered, to Frida Kahlo, who transformed her pain into works of extraordinary emotional power. This leads to the provocations of contemporary women artists, such as Marina Abramović and Ana Mendieta, who have turned the paradigm upside down, using art as a tool to denounce and raise awareness.

A dialogue between past and present

The documentary does not aim to point the finger at a single artist or movement, but aims to provide tools for recognizing violence in all its forms and spheres. Art today can be a means to educate awareness and contribute to cultural change.

Proserpine and the Others explores how, alongside the perpetuation of stereotypes, art also has the potential to transform collective feeling. Contemporary artists are rewriting the visual language to give voice to new narratives that reject violence and promote equality.

GA&A Productions is in charge of the production. With more than three decades of experience, GA&A has collaborated with international partners to bring stories of historical, cultural and social significance to the screen. The company’s successful projects include titles such as Banksy’s The Sad Girl, The Dictators’ Nightmare and Dante, The Dream Of A Free Italy.

On La7's "Proserpina and the Others," a documentary about violence against women in art

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