The title of the documentary, Quo Vadis translates from Latin to where are you going? This is the question Gabriele Fabbro indirectly poses to his friends as he takes them on a journey through his home country of Italy after they all graduate film school in LA. The friends (Ydale Turk, Jessica Ghitis, Jimmy Chen, Olivia Matterson and Melanie Wick) each have slightly varying responses to the experiences, all of which are captured by Fabbro with an intimate yet respectfully distant lens.
Interviews with a range of local people provides vibrant colour and an illuminating truth to the documentary. The fact that more people than ever are university level educated meaning there is a shortage of manual and skilled labourers provides insight into what society sees as a successful career. As one of the men interviewed suggests: ‘humans are not touching anything with their hands’ anymore. We favour the wealth of knowledge and experience that comes from screens. Perhaps this is why we often feel so disconnected from ourselves, each other and the world around us. Soundbites from these interviews are certainly food for thought and it’s engaging to watch the group of friends digest these unique perspectives. Each person navigates their own individual path within the overarching journey of the group.
The documentary is quiet and understated, leaving plenty of room for viewers own thoughts. There is an inherent contrast between the romanticised version of the country and the socio-economic pressures that affects the lives of the permanent residents on a daily basis. The binary oppositions could perhaps be represented as a tension between elements of Italian Neorealism and the remnants of the American dream. The question of what we want from life becomes the core of the documentary: the difference (if any) between being happy and being content. Fabbro has directed a deep and moving glimpse into Italian society, framed by the responses and experiences of his filmmaking contemporaries.
Watch the trailer below!