The Madness That Comes From the Nymphs

Doriana Monaco
(Italy)

In the heart of Palermo, Nymphs manifest themselves through young women, bringing a message of vitality and freedom. Gradiva follows the captivating journey sparked by a Roman bas-relief, leading an archaeologist on a quest to uncover its origins, echoing Freud’s intrigue. Aby Warburg’s mythical interpretation names her the Nympha, igniting an exploration of elusive Nymphs across art and culture. In modern-day Palermo, three women embody Gradiva’s essence, intertwining myth with reality, challenging societal norms with their graceful stride.

Doriana Monaco was born in Benevento in 1989. She studied Archaeology and Art History at the University of Naples Federico II. In 2014 she worked on the Edoardo De Angelis film Perez as assistant director. She directed her first two short films in 2015: Anatomia di un pensiero triste and Laziest Girl in Town. In 2016 she joined the FILMaP - Atelier del cinema del reale in Ponticelli, led by Leonardo Di Costanzo. During that time, she made the documentary Cronopios, which was selected for the Corso Salani Award at the 2017 Trieste Film Festival.