An on-the-road documentary in search of Care: encounters, visions and utopias of those who need care and those who work with it.
Careseekers was born as a result of the "Italy Syndrome" project, which led Tiziana Francesca Vaccaro to create a theatre play and a graphic novel with the collaboration of illustrator and cartoonist Elena Mistrello.
Italy Syndrome is a complex mental illness characterized by persecutory ideation, ill-treatment, and obsessions related to caregiving activities in Italy. It is now commonly recognized as the "disease of the caregivers." The project, presented in both theatrical and comic strip formats, garnered a diverse audience and critical acclaim, receiving several national prizes and awards. Some notable accolades include Best Dramaturgy Tragos 2021, Best Screenplay Boscarato Award 2021, Best Comic Book Literary Award BookCiakLegge, and Best first comic work Napoli Comicon. The project's success and the growing interest from the public highlighted previously overlooked stories and themes.
This prompted Tiziana to explore other artistic languages to broaden her perspective and continue sharing stories of work and care. Through her previous collaboration with director Teresa Sala, the two authors found a harmonious synergy that led them to envision a documentary film centred around the concept of "Care."
Together, they set themselves the objective to shed light on the often overlooked aspects of caregiving that suddenly, and quite aggressively, came to the forefront 'thanks' to the pandemic. While the world came to a halt and factories and industries ceased their operations, care work remained the only essential service. Occupations such as nursing and social-health work, previously treated as secondary and undervalued, suddenly became indispensable. The burden of care disproportionately fell on women, given the gender imbalance and the higher representation of women in the caregiving sectors. Careseekers delves into the intricate and intense relationship between those in need of care and those who have made caregiving their profession. It explores a dynamic filled with tension and frustrations, where needs and desires often go unfulfilled, leading to conflicts and, in many cases, a deterioration of the health conditions for both parties involved. The root cause of this conflict lies in a system that prioritizes profit over the well-being of individuals. It has become increasingly evident that our welfare system is ineffective.
In our view, care is not limited to a specific aspect of human experience; rather, it is a fundamental stance. Recognizing the vastness of this topic, we have chosen to focus our narrative on the need for care during old age, a crucial phase of life that is often neglected in collective imagination due to its association with physical and mental decline or, worse yet, death. However, what we frequently overlook, perhaps unconsciously, is that we will all inevitably grow old and require care. The question then arises: Who will take care of us? With this in mind, it is worth taking a moment to pause and reflect, if not to provide answers, at least to ask ourselves pertinent questions as a community.
The progression of CareSeekers revolves around the main experiences of care in relation to old age. We explore the role of the family, typically represented by children and particularly daughters, as primary caregivers. We delve into the realm of home assistance, predominantly provided by migrant women who have been compelled to emigrate for economic reasons and are commonly known as caregivers. Finally, we confront the fears and contradictions associated with retirement homes.
Teresa Sala e Tiziana Francesca Vaccaro
Careseekers is a thought-provoking documentary that intricately explores the complex relationship between those in need of care and those who provide it. To unravel this complex web, we have designed an episodic structure that delves into various aspects of the global chains of care, aiming to broaden perspectives. Our aim is to amplify the voices of our protagonists and shed light on their rights, needs, and desires. Starting from their personal narratives, we aim to paint a comprehensive picture of the current landscape of care work demand and supply in our country.
To achieve this, we have employed three distinct storytelling methods that seamlessly intertwine, giving form and substance to the project:
These stories highligh the lived experiences and challenges within the realms of family, professional caregiving, residential care, and informal support networks.
Each episode of Careseekers offers a distinct perspective, with the first chapter highlighting families through personal narratives and cherished memories. Subsequent chapters shift focus to the protagonists' daily care experiences, employing an observational documentary style.
The film's backdrop is a Road Trip, where our characters embark on a journey in search of an unnamed but idealized place representing their vision of care. This fictional element connects the individual stories, providing a common thread throughout the documentary.
The Road Trip concept stems from a real-life experience, as Vanni, Natalia, and the women from Fabbrico explored the Padana plain, actively seeking out diverse care approaches. Through encounters with various formal and informal care settings, they discovered alternative paths and approaches to caregiving. Incorporating their genuine search into the documentary creates a captivating narrative arc that unites the individual stories.
The Fabbrico Women's Choir serves as a commentary on the events depicted in the individual episodes. Drawing inspiration from the Greek model, their presence enriches the narrative by offering diverse perspectives. These women have the experience, knowledge, and insight required to engage in profound reflections, which they eloquently convey in simple yet impactful words. The chorus scenes featured in the
documentary are extracts from the meetings held at the Fabbrico Laboratory on Caregiving, where discussions center around the theme of care. Through these sessions, the women collectively contribute to a deep exploration of the subject, sharing their wisdom and insights with clarity and precision.
Teresa Sala