Carbonia (we were all communists)

“30 years later we find that we are all still like we were in ’45.” The artist, experimental poet, and writer Nanni Balestrini (*1935) describes in frenzied flashbacks the miserable living and working conditions in postwar Italy, as well as the gruesome and traumatic experiences in an SS prison camp in Germany from the perspective of a disaffected but fierce survivor. He reports in detail and without punctuation. After being rejected upon his return due to his political beliefs, he finds work in the mines of Carbonia. The ruthless exploitation of the workers, and the impenitent Fascists, recall memories of war and unleash his Communist ideals. The strike of the mine workers of Carbonia becomes “his strike,” as Communism is for him the only possibility to unite with his comrades and to break the silence. “Carbonia (We Were All Communists)” is the testimony of a man who lived different lives in Sardegna, Germany, and Australia, and record of his unconditional fight for justice.