Le ragazze di Capoverde

Overview

Directed by Dacia Maraini in 1976, this documentary serves as a sharp and necessary social critique of its time. The film offers a deep dive into the exploitation of Cape Verdean women who immigrated to Italy, highlighting how they were funneled into domestic labor for wealthy families as a source of cheap work. Featured in the curated section "The Woman’s Gaze," the work stands as a powerful example of feminist filmmaking that tackles complex socio-political issues. Through Maraini's lens, the film moves beyond simple observation to denounce the economic and systemic struggles faced by immigrant women in 1970s Italy, capturing a poignant moment of intersectional struggle.