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#Luogoideale is not your average Hashtag- It Represents a Culture steeped in History and Pride

A new hashtag is gaining momentum on social media. #Luogoideale is the brainchild of journalist and filmmaker Sergio Ragone, and was created to express his pride for the land in which he was born and raised- Basilicata.  

Ragone is no stranger to Italian Cinema Today. I have spoken with him on several occasions about the resurgence in film production that is happening now in his region. This time, we talked about the motive behind this hashtag, #luogoideale and what makes his cherished region of Basilicata such an ideal place to live, visit and film. Our interview was done in Italian, so both versions are included.

What is the story behind this hashtag #luogoideale, which translated means, ideal place?
I’ve done a lot in recent years. I’ve been in the company of those who told me stories of courage and beauty. They were stories about the south, specifically Basilicata. I’ve realized by travelling across the region that the beauty before my eyes has been seen and talked about by many others before me. It was at that moment when I completely fathomed this idea of Basilicata being this ideal place where the ancient past and present meet. It is the ideal place to live, to grow, to make films, to mingle with great company, to realize dreams, to spend time and to be inspired. 

Raccontami il significato del hashtag #luogoideale..
Ho fatto molta strada in questi anni. L'ho fatta in compagnia di chi mi ha raccontato storie di coraggio e bellezza. Sono storie del Sud, di un pezzo ben preciso del Sud: la Basilicata. Attraversando la regione dal doppio nome, ho scoperto che lo stupore con il quale accoglievo i paesaggi che mi si presentavano agli occhi era lo stesso vissuto e raccontato da tanti altri. Ho deciso quindi di scandagliare fino in fondo la narrazione della Basilicata, quella fatta nell'antico passato e quella più recente. Ne è venuto fuori un unico filo conduttore, un'unica trama di narrazione: la Basilicata è per molti il luogo ideale. Per vivere, per abitare, per crescere, per fare cinema, per generare impresa innovativa, per realizzare sogni, per trascorrere del tempo e farsi ispirare. 

After having this realization of the ideal place, how’d you come up with the idea of a hashtag?
The idea came from the stories and descriptions of many filmmakers that have worked in the region. I'll give you some examples:
Morgan Freeman (actor Ben Hur): "Matera is an extraordinary and magical city, rightly designated a European Capital of Culture for 2019"

Krzysztof Zanussi (Director): "This place has all the makings of a movie set. Despite being penalized for roads, Basilicata is a virgin land and characteristic to the goodness of its people. Cinema can only bring out these values."

Luca Argentero (actor, Noi e la Giulia): "We did well shooting here in Basilicata. Aside from the beauty of the places where we shot, the people were very hospitable and welcoming.”

Edoardo Leo (Director and actor Noi e la Giulia): "We were looking for a farm, when I saw this place (Montescaglioso). I fell in love with it right away light, and also with the people of Matera. I'm happy, I would stay here." 

This is where it begins. We want to develop a positive narrative with #luogoideale. Whether you’re reading a blog post or looking at photos on Instagram, you can read stories of brave men and women- aphorisms or short stories, fragments of interviews in which the landscapes and especially the people of Basilicata are celebrated.  

Da dov'è venuto quest'idea?
L'idea nasce proprio dai racconti che in tanti, attori, registi, sceneggiatori, produttori, ne hanno fatto. Ti faccio alcuni esempi:
Morgan Freeman (attore Ben Hur): "Matera è una città straordinaria e magica, giustamente proclamata capitale europea della cultura per il 2019"
Krzysztof Zanussi (Regista):  “Questo luogo ha tutti gli ingredienti del set cinematografico. Nonostante sia penalizzata per le vie di comunicazione, la Basilicata è una terra vergine e caratteristica per la bontà della sua gente. Il cinema può solo far emergere questi valori.”
Luca Argentero (attore Noi e la Giulia): "a girare qui in Basilicata ci siamo trovati bene. A parte la bellezza dei posti in cui stavamo, il merito è stato  della gente. Ci avete accolto in modo incredibile"
Edoardo Leo (Regista e attore Noi e la giulia): “eravamo alla ricerca di una masseria, quando ho visto questo posto (Montescaglioso) mi sono innamorato  subito della luce, della gente e di Matera. Sono felice, ci tornerei qua."
Parte proprio da questo frame, molto positivo, la narrazione che vogliamo sviluppare con #luogoideale. Nei post del blog o nelle foto Instagram, tra un luogo e l'altro, è possibile leggere storie di uomini e donne coraggiosi, aforismi o breve narrazioni, frammenti di interviste in cui vengono esaltati i paesaggi e le persone della Basilicata. Soprattutto le persone.

Tell me about your pride for the land of your origins.
For me, the region of Basilicata offers an opportunity for redemption for the whole of South of Italy. The proof is in the fact that Matera was named the 2019 European Capital of Culture. For me, it is really a great place, I have chosen Basilicata as a place to live and grow. This #luogoideale however needs a strong effort of counter-narrative because there is still this idea or stereotype of slow development or backwardness in the region. This has really been apparent in the journalistic accounts (of national press) during the last few years since the petroleum extraction started. In such accounts, the region has been described only as a land of oil. But we are so much more than that. We have so many important, complex issues here that need to be addressed and we cannot even relegate a few minutes of time on the news. Regarding these issues, it is important to clarify and to say things as they are, without bias. We have to begin with numbers and facts- not just opinions. We have to do it with responsibility. The international press, however, has always spoken in positive terms about Basilicata, calling it a “Land of Cinema” and talking about the rebirth that is going on here, or highlighting the rich history and archaeological heritage. These are just three examples, but the list is much longer. 

Read about the petroleum extraction and how it's been interpreted by regional filmmakers

Dimmi del tuo orgoglio della tua terra.
Per me la basilicata rappresenta un'occasione di riscatto per tutto il Sud Italia. La nomina di matera a capitale europea della cultura per il 2019 ne è la prova. Per me è davvero il luogo ideale, che ho scelto come spazio dove vivere e crescere. Questo #luogoideale ha però bisogno di una forte opera di contro-narrazione rispetto a un'idea che ancora la inquadra come terra di frontiera, di lento sviluppo, di arretratezza. Così come anche il racconto giornalistico degli ultimi anni, l'ha descritta esclusivamente come terra di petrolio e di emergenze ambientali continue. Temi così complessi ed importanti che non possiamo relegare ai pochi minuti di un servizio tv o alla bontà del giornalista (e della linea editoriale) che li racconta. Su questi temi è opportuno fare chiarezza e dire le cose come sono, senza partigianeri, populismo e posizionamenti strumentali. Partendo dai numeri, dai fatti e non dalle opinioni. Con responsabilità. Ma, allo stesso tempo, la stampa internazionale ne ha sempre parlato in termini positivi, definendola "Terra di Cinema", raccontandone la "Rinascita", o esaltandone il suo patrimonio storico e archeologico. Questi sono solo tre esempi ma l'elenco è molto più lungo.

Tell me about the influence of your land on your boundless creativity.
The sunrise view over the beach of Policoro, the sunset reflected on the water of Maratea, the beautiful alleys of Potenza, the magic of Sassi's poems by Albino Pierro, the political writings of  Rocco Scotellaro, the rhyming words of Vito Riviello - many Lucani that, in the world, excel and make this land even more beautiful.. I think of Giuseppe Marco Albano, Angelo Troiano, Pasquale Annicchino, Mario De Pizzo, Nicola Ragone and many others. These are the elements that give me strength. Places like the Lucania Film Festival in Pisticci, for example, is the perfect example of how all this beauty can become positive energy. It’s like an engine of growth and development. And there is the desire to grow, to run, to do better without stopping. This land has raised us on bread and courage, feeding the demon of dissatisfaction and the desire of the future. My inspiration was born here and the world becomes creativity, especially thanks to the web. Without Basilicata, without its history and without brave and positive Lucani, I would never be who I am today. 

Sei una persona molto creativa. Raccontami l'influenza della tua terra sul tuo lavoro.
L'alba vista sulla spiaggia di Policoro, il tramonto che si riflette sull'acqua di Maratea, i bellissimi vicoli di Potenza, la magia dei Sassi di Matera  le poesie di Albino Pierro, quelle politiche di Rocco Scotellaro, le parole in rima di Vito Riviello, i tanti lucani che, nel mondo, primeggiano e rendono questa terra ancora più bella. Penso a Giuseppe Marco Albano, ad Angelo Troiano, Pasquale Annicchino, Mario De Pizzo, Nicola Ragone e tanti altri. Sono questi gli elementi che mi danno la forza. Luoghi come il Lucania Film Festival di Pisticci, ad esempio, sono l'esempio perfetto di come tutta questa bellezza può diventare energia positiva. Motore di crescita e sviluppo. E c'è voglia di crescere, di correre, di fare sempre meglio senza mai fermarsi. Questa terra ci ha cresciuti a pane e coraggio, alimentando il demone della insoddisfazione e la smania di futuro. La mia ispirazione nasce qui e nel mondo diventa creatività. Soprattutto grazie al web. Senza la Basilicata, senza la sua storia, e senza i lucani coraggiosi e positivi, non sarei mai quello che sono oggi.  


Rocco Papaleo's Basilicata Coast to Coast
What are the important things about this ideal place (#luogoideale) that people who are not familiar with the region should know?
Like Rocco Papaleo says, Basilicata is a welcoming land, always with its arms open and ready to know the true nature of those who visit. Our beauty is simplicity, the desire to do hard work and to sweat. Ours is a land that welcomes diversity. We take pride in our values and look to the future with courage and determination. 

Quali sono le cose che gli stranieri dovrebbero sapere di questo #luogoideale?
Che esiste come dice Rocco Papaleo, che ha voglia di farsi conoscere nella sua vera natura, e che è pronto ad accoglierli con l'abbraccio più affettuoso che ci sia. Perchè la nostra bellezza è la semplicità, la voglia di fare, la fatica ed il sudore del lavoro. La nostra è una terra che accoglie le diversità.  Valori che noi conserviamo con orgoglio e che ci proiettano vero il futuro con più coraggio e determinazione.

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