“The Suitcase”, interview with Producer Rebecca Vittoria-Romanoff

The interview conducted at the River Film Festival in Padova provides a captivating and heartfelt look into the story behind the short film “The Suitcase” and the dedication of its producer, Rebecca Vittoria-Romanoff, to raising awareness about autism.

Rebecca, the producer of the short film, shares how the project began almost by chance through the Romanoff Imperial Foundation. The foundation, primarily operating in Brussels, became interested in autism-related issues after recognizing a growing need for awareness. Rebecca highlights that one in 167 children is born with autism spectrum disorders and emphasizes that awareness is crucial for early intervention.

“The Suitcase” emerged from this awareness campaign. As Rebecca Vittoria-Romanoff explains, the story revolves around a woman who loses a special suitcase, which is then found by three orphaned children. Inside the suitcase, they discover a child with autism, whom they initially believe to be an extra-terrestrial. The narrative follows the children as they attempt to reunite the child with his mother, showing that in the world of children, there are no barriers between those with and without disorders. This perspective offers a powerful and moving narrative, which has garnered significant success, winning over 12 international awards.

Rebecca Vittoria-Romanoff highlights a particularly poignant moment in the film when one character expresses the wish that his mother would stop worrying about him, only to be reminded by another character that he is lucky to have a mother, underscoring the harsh reality faced by many children without families.

The Romanoff Imperial Foundation’s work extends beyond cinema into various philanthropic efforts. Rebecca Vittoria-Romanoff describes how the foundation has supported animal shelters, provided aid to earthquake victims in Albania, and more. This humanitarian dedication is reflected in their film work, which aims not only to entertain but also to raise awareness and inspire change.

In conclusion, Rebecca expresses the intention to expand “The Suitcase” into a full-length feature film to delve deeper into the lives of children with autism. Her enthusiasm and passion for the cause are evident, leaving a sense of hope and admiration for the foundation’s work.

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