Stefano Ballini

The Red Trickle of the Soul 

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ABOUT THIS EPISODE

On episode 42 of Veteran Voices: The Oral History Podcast, we talk with Italian filmmaker Stefano Ballini about preserving veterans stories, the moral injury of war, and his most recent documentary, The Red Trickle of the Soul--featuring Pittsburgh area veterans of WWII, Cold War, and Vietnam War.

This podcast episode was recorded June 26, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Host: Kevin Farkas.  Guest: Stefano Ballini. Audiography: Kevin Farkas/The Social Voice Project. Music (available on SoundCloud.com): Amoebacrew (“Light Indie Rock”), Gianpiero Lupoli (“Rebirth”), Kevin MacLeod (“Ambiment”). Additional Audio (available on The Social Voice Project): The Social Voice Project (Alle-Kiski Chronicle (Ep08) – Stefano Ballini | Monte Sole Landing Memories”).  Addition audio (available on YouTube.com): Stefano Ballini (“Trailer - Il Rivolo Rosso dell'Anima - The Red Trickle of the Soul"). TheLBJLibrary (“The Vietnam War Summit: One, Two, Three: What Are We Fighting For?”). ©Veteran Voices: The Oral History Podcast/The Social Voice Project, Inc.  All rights reserved.

 

Veteran Voices: The Oral History Podcast (Ep42)

Stefano Ballini – The Red Trickle of the Soul

TRANSCRIPTION

ED BLANK: Was, and am, extremely proud of my military service.

GEORGE HAUGHT: Within the first twelve hours I saw more death and destruction than most people would in a lifetime.

AL DEFAZIO: I come from a little town called, Altavilla Irpina, in the province of Avellino.

STEFANO BALLINI: This is Stefano Ballini and are you are listening to the Veteran Voices History Podcast.

CAROLE ZIPPY BRENNAN: When my dad and I were alone, he told different stories.  He told about the only regret he ever had—the regret of the boy who died in his arms.  Both of them just kids, nineteen years old. And when my dad told me that story about not being able to get the address and the names of that young man, he said to me, “I just wanted them to know that their son died in the arms of a fellow soldier.  He didn’t die out on the battle field.  He didn’t die in a muddy trench.”  And my dad, at ninety-one, started to cry.  He remembered all of those stories.  And we have to remember the stories of all the men who fought.  Stefano, there are not enough words to say thank you for keeping the memory of Frank [Gervasi], and Michael [Vernillo], and my dad [Vittorio Zippi], and my uncle [Lou], and countless others—you’re keeping them alive.  You are a witness.  Thank you, Stefano. You are a witness.

ANNOUNCER: You are listening to a production of The Social Voice Podcast Network.

KEVIN FARKAS (PODCAST HOST): We have a very special guest today from Italy. His name is Stefano Bellini. He's a filmmaker and documentarian specializing in veterans’ stories.  And Stefano is here in the United States, he’s here in Pittsburgh, to show his English version of his latest film, The Red Trickle of the Soul. Welcome Stefano, to Pittsburgh.

STEFANO BALLINI: Thank you, thank you.

This is your second time here?

Yes.

Very exciting?

Yes.

You love Pittsburgh. [laughter]

Yes, I love Pittsburgh.  I love it so much. [laughter]

Your film, The Red Trickle of the Soul, is your second documentary film.

Yes.

Before we get into talking about your film, tell us a little bit about your background, what you do in Italy, and your interest in filmmaking.

Yes, I started about 8 years ago with the first film called, Il Treno che Bucò il Fronte. In English, The Train Through the Warfront. It is the story of my father who embarked in Anzio with the allies in ...