«The butterflies of Giudecca» rebirth and dignity beyond the bars

by Gloria Satta

Solidarity, sisterhood, to reclaim dignity, and above all, hope are values that can be rekindled even in prison. This is demonstrated by an instructive and engaging documentary titled The Butterflies of Giudecca, which is set in Venice’s female prison. Founded in the 12th century as a monastery-hospice for redeemed prostitutes, today it is the scene of an important rehabilitation project. The Butterflies of Giudecca was directed by the author and producer Rosa Galantino together with director Luigi Ceccarelli. The protagonists are the inmates of all ages and backgrounds who, have already engaged in various jobs (laundry, ironing, cosmetics, artistic candle making, gardening). In 2024, they took part in the Venice Biennale by guiding visitors through the Holy See Pavilion set up inside the prison. This was done with Pope Francis’ blessing, who visited the facility on April 28, 2024.

The faces, words, and stories of the women are striking. While serving their sentences, they find a second chance through work and are able to imagine a future beyond the bars. Galantino discovered a working factory inside the Giudecca closely connected to the city of Venice because it serves luxury hotels, restaurants, and shops. “Prison is a problematic reality, but it can also be told differently, that is, in the light of hope”, explains the director who gave voice to the working inmates. Monia, now on semi-liberty, says that “work is dignity and it helped me move forward”; Fauta, an African woman, speaks of a “difficult path” inside the prison, where different ethnicities coexist and six women live in one cell; Rosaria reflects that “when you’re inside, you learn to appreciate freedom”. There is also Paola, who at 68 years of age is considered the “senator” of the group. Some dream of opening “a little shop” once out, some want to take care of their mothers, others their children. A touching scene shows four inmates being taken to eat at a restaurant at Christmas. The prison director, Mariagrazia Felicita Bregoli, strongly believes in the “rehabilitation” envisaged by the Italian Constitution. The Patriarch of Venice, Monsignor Francesco Moraglia, speaks of “reconstruction”. The world is dominated by selfishness and prejudice, including those that brought many women to prison: The Butterflies of Giudecca shows that work can help overcome them. In the least free place in the world, it is a choice of freedom. An act of emancipation.