Wednesday evening, the silver screen lit up at Post Theater on the eastern edge of campus. Film students from a variety of different backgrounds and levels of filmmaking showed the short films they had created over the course of a film study abroad in Genova, Italy this past summer. Genova is located on the northwestern coast of Italy and is the sixth largest of the Italian cities. Italian fluency was not a prerequisite for the program.
Sahar Khadjenoury, a film major, returned this past summer for her second time in the study abroad film program.
“It draws you back,” she said.
On her first visit to Genova, Khadjenoury met some Moroccan friends and returned to finish a film entirely about them. She immersed herself in the culture and made strong connections, which helped give meaning to her story about European immigration.
Khadjenoury’s was one of many films, and no two were alike. Films covered topics from street art, lighthouses and dance to candy-making, sailing and a day in the life of Italy filmed with a Go-Pro.
Natasha Leedom, a senior in film and media, chose dancing as the subject of her filming.
“I love dancing and wanted to incorporate ballroom dance and the city in my film,” Leedom said.
Nick Harrison said the whole event made him want to study abroad. The short films that struck him most were those that were full of Italian culture. His favorite was about backstreet cricket games.
“Even though there was no dialogue, emotionally it held the most weight. It showed the most culture,” he said.
For many of these rising directors, the film part of their stay overseas was only a small portion of this experience. One of the big lessons of the film was that if you show interest in another culture or people, you won’t go wrong. New friends and new understandings of a world full of diversity and life were just a few of the benefits.
Cindy De Dios, a student in film and media arts whose film was all about an Italian candy shop, learned how to interact and treat others in a different culture.
“I learned how to connect with others even if I don’t feel like I have a lot in common with them. There was a language barrier, but I found people were really willing to use sign language and gestures to help me understand,” she said.
Khadjenoury funded her trip via student loans and a Kickstarter campaign — a raise-it-yourself gig. Other options include scholarships available to all students.
Rayne Burk talked about one of her most memorable moments of the excursion. The night before coming home she went with other students to the top of the tallest building in Genova. There they ate Italian gelato and watched the sunset.
For more information visit learningabroad.utah.edu.
@ChronyArts