Shooting the Mafia

As it jumps from era to era, the film never quite brings together the determined woman and her trailblazing work into a coherent portrait. 'Shooting the Mafia' is an interesting but disjointed look at one of the great photographers of our time.

• Jake Watt

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Okay documentary that feels a bit disjointed, on the one hand wanting to be about this female photojournalist and her personal life, which when it came to her daughters didn't want to discuss, but also about the mafia's heavy control in Sicily and Corleone, and the uprising of the population to get rid of them, with the aid of a couple brave prosecutors who sacrificed their lives doing so.

While this woman's — Letizia Battaglia — life is interesting, especially her close relationships, this documentary didn't seem sure where to focus. Plus, the premise that Battaglia fought against the Mafia didn't really connect. She took some stark and graphic pictures, but they don't exactly translate to how she was part of the Mafia's takedown. Also, they kind of glossed over some major events, including per political career, other than that she got well paid in doing nothing as decisions were made outside of her control.

All in all, a fascinating character for sure and I would say it's worth checking out, but I think more could've been done to show viewers a fuller picture of her life rather than bits and pieces intertwined with the Mafia's brutality.

3.0/5