Berto – Nespresso Talents 2021

“Berto” is a short film developed for the 2021 vertical film contest “Nespresso Talents”.

The video paints a portrait of my grandfather Umberto Fresch with a focus on his lifelong passion for music, presented through his decades of activity as organist and choir singer. The ninety years of Berto and his music unfold through a collage of original and archival footage, of old music and recent conversations. A special place in the film is held by his faithful tape recorder, a tool he used to record all sorts of material, from his own concerts and masses to family conversations. The film also shines a delicate light on my grandfather’s senile dementia and how music can always dissipate a little the fog that has invaded his mind.