My Name is Sami
Artist Statement:
'My Name is Sami' was made during lockdown and finished on 25th April 2020. It is a reflection about domestic violence, human rights and issues women experience in many countries. I was inspired by a personal involvement: an old friend I met by chance after a long time told me the abuse she was subjected to by the hands of her husband. She thought it was painful but she had to accept it as something normal. I was really affected by it and advised her to contact the police. I thought about this short talk we had for a long time. I believe strongly that the way the abuse was normalised is a huge issue against many women taking steps to challenge the abuse.
This is something that needs to be challenged and changed. This issue is of utmost importance to me and “My name is Sami”is just a start for a bigger project. I feel a responsibility as a woman artist to raise awareness and challenge the violence endured by many women across the world.
Artist Biography:
Daniela Lucato started playing theatre in Padua (Italy) parallel to her studies at the university. After her degree in Philosophy she moved to Rome, Wellington and finally Berlin where she works as an actress/filmmaker. The Birthday (2014), her first short film written/directed in mandarin/english language, has been officially selected from 25 international festivals (among these Micgenero, Frameline, ShanghaiPride where the film was also nominated for the best cinematography). In 2015 she founded Connecting Fingers Company. Her last productions for theatre are Connecting Fingers, The Wheel, The rebellious Body. Her last films When I dance (2016), The Wheel (2017) are screen- ing on international film festivals. For the time being (2018) received the award as best in- ternational short film at DUAF/ Tribeca Film Center. In 2019 she wrote/directed the experimental short film Vieni and in (2020) the narrative short Mamma dorme (Mommy’s sleeping). During Covid-19 she wrote/performed/directed the short film My name is Sami.