On the Western Mediterranean’s last prison island both guards and prisoners are isolated by the sea and are subject to the laws of justice. Thus, the guards see themselves as the real prisoners, while the inmates work to serve their sentence. For over 30 years, prison psychologist Giuseppe has accompanied the inmates in his unrefined manner, on their way to freedom, while he remains on the island.
A prison has characteristics resembling those of an island. But only by that prison being cut off by the sea, does the extent of its isolation become visible. I am fascinated by this idyllic place that serves as a prison, while it simultaneously illustrates its social isolation. On Gorgona, the prison cell is the island, the perimeter walls the sea, the prisoner is both farmer and prison guard. What exactly does punishment here entail? A dialogue with a penal colony. About guilt and atonement, isolation and introspection. - Aurelio Buchwalder
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