Silvestro has worked in the mine since he was 23 years old – now he’s 67. Manlio, at 40, left teaching to go and work in the mine, but to know himself and this new world, had to take on its most infamous job – the time-keeper. He’s now 88.
The paths of these two men, different but parallel, meet in 1992 when they barricade themselves into the San Giovanni mine for months – laying explosives across the opening, preventing its closure and the slow desertification of the territory at that time. Years later, after the mines are closed and the desertification advances, Manlio and Silvestro revisit the ghosts of their past.
Best Radio Documentary at the Prix Italia and Prix Europa 2018.
Directed by Gianluca Stazi and Giuseppe Casu
Script by Gianluca Stazi and Giuseppe Casu
Sound by Gianluca Stazi
Editing by Gianluca Stazi
Producing organisation: Tratti Documentari
Co-producing organisation: Rai Radio3
Commissioning editors: Daria Corrias and Fabiana Carobolante for Tre Soldi – Radio3 Rai
A message from the makers –
Dear listener,
After years of work we are happy to see this story going to the world alone. Send us a text or sound message to let us know where “The Upside Down” has arrived. We will read your words or listen to your voice with the miners of Sulcis Iglesiente.
Feedback will be published here: tratti.org/listeners/
Here is our mail: info@tratti.org
Keep fighting!
Gianluca and Giuseppe