Sky Arte documentary explores art as weapon against mafia violence

The documentary 'Arte vs Mafia – La forza della bellezza' airs on Sky Arte on Monday, May 23, marking the thirtieth anniversary of the deaths of Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino and the fortieth anniversary of the deaths of Pio La Torre and Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa. The film examines how art can combat organized crime and rehabilitate areas affected by delinquency. It features testimonies from artists, journalists, photographers, and victims' relatives including Maria Falcone, Fiammetta Borsellino, and Franco La Torre. Notable works include Tony Gentile's photograph of Falcone and Borsellino smiling, which inspired a mural on Palermo's waterfront by street artists Rosk and Loste; Andrea Buglisi's 'Porta dei Giganti' installation on buildings near the Ucciardino prison; Velasco Vitali's 'Branco' sculpture made from construction waste, displayed in the courtyard of the University of Palermo's law faculty; Emilio Isgrò's 'Seme d'Arancia' in Messina, photographed by Ferdinando Scianna; Claudio Fava discussing his father Giuseppe Fava's paintings; Igor Scalisi Palminteri's mural 'Roveto Ardente' dedicated to Don Pino Puglisi; and Letizia Battaglia's testimony, given shortly before her death, in which she stated she stopped photographing mafia massacres after the Capaci bombing, choosing instead to focus on beauty as an antidote to pain.