cinematography
Mario Pantoni
editing
Maria Fantastica Valmori
music
24Grana
sound
Federico Tummolo

with
Riccardo Brun
Valeria Parrella
Viola Ardone

production
Youcasting Panamafilm
co-production
Rai Documentari
producers
Donella Bossi Pucci
Riccardo Brun
Paolo Rossetti
Francesco Siciliano

Italian distribution
Rai Documentari
Italian press office
UFFICIO STAMPA
Alessandro Savoia
info@alessandrosavoia.it

From 2010 to 2022, a group of Neapolitan writers held a workshop in the juvenile detention center on the island of Nisida. For the last year, seven of them (Viola Ardone, Riccardo Brun, Maurizio de Giovanni, Daniela De Crescenzo, Antonio Menna, Valeria Parrella, and Patrizia Rinaldi) created a collective and named it I Nisidiani, then, collectively, wrote a novel, a unique case in the history of Italian literature. The experience changed them all and transformed many of the young inmates as well. A nearly unbreakable bond was formed.

2026 I nisidiani (doc)

“The light, the camera moves, the colors, the frames; plus my voice-over, my friends’ words, the pace of the story and the editing – as I see it, all of this should go into a documentary that is many things at once. There’s the story of an unforgettable experience for a group of novelists; a first-hand account of a unique literary experiment: the writing of a collective novel that can boast seven authors; and a dialogue centering on the causes of and fixes for juvenile delinquincy. There’s the conviction that art, culture, and beauty can make a difference, point out new directions, and even save lives; the indignation over so many kids ensnared in crime and self-destructive behavior, without ever having had the chance to choose. The film celebrates believing: that a new world can be constructed, lovingly and intelligently, step by step, by listening to these kids, paying attention to them, without firing off proclamations or setting unrealistic goals, and doing so one day at a time, and one person at a time.” (Riccardo Brun)

Riccardo Brun (Naples, 1974) is a journalist, novelist, screenwriter for film and TV, and producer. He has contributed to newspapers and magazines and was the editor of the cultural events weekly Romac’é. His novels include Carissimo L, written with M. Ricciuti (Guida Editore, 2000); Genova Express (Manifestolibri, 2002), La città di sotto (Stampa Alternativa, 2006), La propaganda (Caracò, 2011), L’assedio (Novecento Editore, 2013), and L’ultima prova (Guida, 2018, written with the collective I Nisidiani). With Paolo Rossetti and Francesco Siciliano (with whom he also co-founded Panamafilm in 2009), Brun co-wrote the non-fiction book Quando meno te lo aspetti (Elogio dell’amore senza età), published by Longanesi. His short stories are found in various anthologies. Brun has also scripted numerous films and documentaries.