Shooting the Mafia
Shooting the Mafia

Shooting the Mafia

2019Movie94 minEnglish

Sicilian photojournalist Letizia Battaglia began a long battle against the ruthless Cosa Nostra when she first photographed the sinister scene of a brutal murder. Documenting the barbaric rule of the Italian Mafia, she was an unwavering witness to its crimes. Her art and courage helped end the horrific and bloody reign of the Corleonesi clan.

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Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic77/100
Google Users95%
Director: Kim LonginottoGenres: Documentary, Crime

Plot Summary

This documentary chronicles the life and work of Letizia Battaglia, a pioneering photojournalist who fearlessly documented the Sicilian Mafia in Palermo during the turbulent 1970s and 1980s. Battaglia's powerful and often harrowing images captured the violence, corruption, and human toll of the Mafia's reign, making her a crucial witness to history. The film explores her personal journey, her dedication to social justice, and the profound impact of her photographic legacy in the fight against organized crime.

Critical Reception

Shooting the Mafia received widespread critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling, stunning photography, and compelling subject matter. Critics lauded director Kim Longinotto for her sensitive and insightful portrayal of Letizia Battaglia, highlighting the film's emotional impact and historical significance. The documentary was praised for bringing Battaglia's courageous work to a global audience and for its unflinching look at the realities of Mafia influence.

What Reviewers Say

  • A profoundly moving and visually arresting portrait of a fearless photojournalist.
  • Highlights the crucial role of photography in documenting and confronting societal ills.
  • An important historical record of the fight against the Mafia through art and courage.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praised 'Shooting the Mafia,' frequently highlighting the bravery and dedication of Letizia Battaglia. Reviewers often commented on the powerful impact of her photographs and the film's ability to shed light on a dark period of Italian history. Many expressed admiration for Battaglia's commitment to justice and the art of photojournalism.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards, Won Best Documentary at the Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards.

Fun Fact

Letizia Battaglia's iconic photograph of a dying Giuliano Garonelli, assassinated by the Mafia, became a symbol of the era's violence and a catalyst for public outcry against organized crime.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
JPV852

JPV852

Okay documentary that feels a bit disjointed, on the one hand wanting to be about this female photojournalist and her personal life, which when it came to her daughters didn't want to discuss, but also about the mafia's heavy control in Sic...
SWITCH.

SWITCH.

As it jumps from era to era, the film never quite brings together the determined woman and her trailblazing work into a coherent portrait. 'Shooting the Mafia' is an interesting but disjointed look at one of the great photographers of our t...