The representation of gender violence on the stage of the Sanremo Music Festival is another opportunity wasted to assert women’s voices.
Student Commentary
By Francesca Motta / Staff writer || Edited by Ada Maria Francesca Romeo
Ariston Theatre in the city of Sanremo in Liguria, where the music festival takes place every year. Wikimedia Commons.
On Feb. 8, on the stage of the Sanremo Festival, a cornerstone event in Italian music broadcasted by RAI, the cast of the famous Italian TV series Mare Fuori attempted to address gender-based violence. The speech was authored by writer and cartoonist Matteo Bussola, receiving praise from leading Italian newspapers such as La Repubblica and Il Mattino. However, it also faced significant criticism from those deeply familiar with gender-based violence.
Elena Cecchettin, 24, sister of Giulia Cecchettin, 22, a recent victim of femicide, contested the speech labeling it as a form of pinkwashing.
E. Cecchettin also shared the words of Carlotta Vagnoli, author and activist against gender violence, who argued that the speech aimed to promote the new season of the TV series without truly engaging with the issue of femicide.
I couldn’t agree more with Cecchettin’s sentiments. The crux of the matter lies in the total absence of discussion on gender violence. Instead, the monologue revolved around the “New Words of Love,” listing verbs and nouns like Listen, Welcome, Accept, Learn, Truth, Standing by, No, and Together. Each word was accompanied by rhetorical phrases about relationships, which, as Cecchettin stated, seemed like the notes found in chocolate boxes, rather than a serious stance against gender-based violence.
The speech concludes with the assertion: “What we decide to see will depend only on us.”
However, this statement lacks specificity and implies that victims bear some responsibility for the violence inflicted upon them.
The lack of depth and critical analysis in addressing gender-based violence must primarily be attributed to the author of this speech. Given the prevalent trend in Italian media, it isn’t surprising that the chosen author was yet another man who has never tackled this issue and lacks the expertise to do so. This reflects the persistent problem of the underrepresentation of female voices, especially in contexts concerning gender violence.
In 2024, do we still have to endure these manifestations of mansplaining? Are we expected to tolerate lectures from men on a phenomenon in which we are the only witnesses? Is it truly so challenging to find qualified female voices to address these issues instead of perpetuating a narrative through the male gaze? Another opportunity to assert our voice has been wasted.
Furthermore, the festival’s presenter, Amadeus, stated in a press release that he doesn’t share Cecchettin’s criticisms and doesn’t see fit to apologize to her. Yet another man telling women how they should react to what he hasn’t experienced firsthand. Classic.
Moreover, the worst message promoted by this speech lies in the misguided juxtaposition of violence and love. In the context of violence against women, reducing the conversation to a mere glossary of “New Words of Love” trivializes and undermines the gravity of gender-based violence.
This approach eludes the systemic nature of violence against women deeply rooted in patriarchal ideologies and rape culture.
For those who may not be familiar with this term, I would like to clarify that the term “rape culture” refers to the array of misogynistic ideologies that normalize male dominance over women, ultimately culminating in violence. Indeed, during the nationally broadcasted program, it would have been appropriate to specify that the speech refers to MALE violence against women.
Even more importantly, RAI should have remembered that love is the exact opposite of violence.
I speak on behalf of all women: we are tired of not being taken seriously, tired that the phenomenon of gender-based violence is still treated by the media as a trivial TV sketch veiled in pinkwashing. We are exhausted by the perpetual romanticization of violence. At the core of gender violence lies patriarchy, not an excess or lack of love. It is time to call things by their actual name and allow women’s voices to do just that.
Watch the speech here.
News: Matteo Bussola: “Vi spiego le mie parole d’amore, la prevenzione inizia nelle relazioni.” | LaStampa
Il cast di Mare Fuori 4 a Sanremo contro la violenza sulle donne: “L’amore non è possesso” | Fanpage
Anger across Italy as killing of student highlights country’s femicide rate | The Guardian
Suggested readings:
Definition of rape culture | European Institute for Gender Equality
Rape culture isn’t a myth. It’s real, and it’s dangerous. | Vox, Criminal Justice
16 ways you can stand against rape culture | UN Women
How rape culture shapes whether a survivor is believed | The Harvard Gazette
Help Guide | Survivor’s Network
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