n-EGO

SYNOPSIS

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n-Ego” is an intense and uninhibited exploration of the human condition—a journey through the streets, as the director confronts a profound creative and existential crisis. In search of authenticity, she immerses herself in different worlds and encounters people whose stories mirror her own fears and desires.

Each encounter becomes a reflection of her inner demons, transforming these individuals’ lives into pieces of an emotional mosaic. Disguised as a de Chirico mannequin, her face concealed by a stocking and a bandolier of sleeping pills strapped across her chest, the director is a scarred and weathered figure who nevertheless retains the reckless spirit of childhood.

Through evocative imagery, daring editing and a rhythm that is at once dramatic and playful, n-Ego transcends reality, inviting viewers to reflect on their own existence within the labyrinth of adult life’s chaos.

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DIRECTOR'S NOTES

“Everyone is capable of being happy.
Everyone is potentially disposable.”

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For n-Ego, my second film—in contrast to my first, N-Capace, which explored the worlds of adolescents and the elderly—I focused on adulthood.

It took several stages and many months to assemble the cast. I spent hours in the neighbourhoods where I would eventually shoot the film, looking for people who instinctively struck me. It was an exhausting yet deeply fascinating process. These encounters were followed by numerous audition sessions before the final selection was made.

The locations, always changing, are part of my own lived experience.

I involved the people I encountered in the streets in performances—visions of mine born from spending time in those neighbourhoods, and from the characters I met and spoke with. I owe the film’s complex editing to Marco Tecce, with whom I have always collaborated, particularly given the enormous amount of footage we shot, as well as his excellent choice of music.

The character of the disoriented director moves between personal and professional existential struggles, consumed by her writing; despite her efforts, she will ultimately fail to complete her task. I am grateful to the wonderful actors who appear in cameo roles, evoking experiences from my life and my demons.

For the director’s costume, developed in collaboration with Alessandro Lai, I drew inspiration from Giorgio de Chirico’s mannequins.

I wanted to erase her expression, making her universal and timeless: a scarred, weathered character who nevertheless retains the reckless spirit of childhood.