Francesca Scalisi's documentary "Valentina and the MUOSters" follows 27-year-old Valentina in Niscemi, Sicily, as she strives for self-reliance while local people protest the US military's MUOS satellite communications system. The film draws parallels between Valentina's personal struggle for independence and the community's fight against the base.
Valentina lives with her loving but over-protective parents and does not work, unlike her older sister who has a career elsewhere. She takes driving lessons and applies for jobs, but her father often harshly criticizes her efforts. These family tensions are linked to the atmosphere of surveillance created by the MUOS base. Valentina is routinely stopped and questioned by troops, turning her home into a land of strangers.
Family Discord and Surveillance
The film connects Valentina's familial discord to the broader surveillance imposed by the US military. The dramatic white MUOS antennas stand in stark contrast to the surrounding farmland, appearing like aliens materializing from thin air. The electromagnetic waves pose ecological and health hazards, negatively affecting pacemaker users—including Valentina's father.
Global Solidarity
Initially focused on generational confrontation, the documentary moves towards solidarity. Protesters' chants name not just Sicily, but also Africa and the Middle East, specifically Palestine, framing the conflict as a global one. "Valentina and the MUOSters" will be available on True Story from 31 July.
