• Salvatore Esposito

Stories

What is Missing

In the last 40 years of Camorra clan warfare there have been more than 5,000 people killed, most of them young. Institutions are completely fugitive in the most difficult neighborhoods and it is easy for many of these guys start to committing crimes at a young age. Poverty, social inequality and denied rights increase in these young people the imaginary of a life of rivals through criminal power. What is Missing in the lives of young people affiliated with Camorra is family, education and work.

The Power of Silence

The Power of Silence is the story of Gennaro and Maurizio, two autistic twins. Autism is a pathology of neurodevelopment that is characterized by communication disorder. The parents Enzo and Antonella, suffered a severe blow when the doctor formulated the diagnosis of autism to their children. Over the years, but above all with love, the parents of the twins have managed to establish non-verbal language to get in touch with their children. The Power of Silence is a story of autism and love.

Portfolio

esposito_portfolio_2021_001 Miano district, the area known as Masseria Cardone. Naples Italy, 2021
esposito_portfolio_2021_002 Drug dealer living in the abandoned Hotel Boomerang along the Via Domiziana, used as crack house by addicts. Castel Volturno, Caserta, Italy, 2011
esposito_portfolio_2021_003 A burnt home of a Camorra a repented now under the protection program. When the man started to cooperate with the Police, Camorra set his house on fire and he had to flee. On the wall the picture of his wife, when they married. Casal di Principe, Caserta, Italy, 2013
esposito_portfolio_2021_004 A trans taking a shower before going out. Forcella district. Naples, Italy, 2009
esposito_portfolio_2021_005 A young Somali migrant in her room at the reception center. These girls embark on a journey from their country of origin that can last up to 12 months, crossing the Sahara desert up to Libya. Sometimes they are kidnapped and plundered by predators. Or imprisoned and tortured in Libya, cases of physical violence are not rare. Lampedusa, Agrigento, Italy, 2013
esposito_portfolio_2021_006 The former NATO LORAN base in 2011 used to give shelter to about 450 migrants. Lampedusa, Agrigento, Italy, 2013
esposito_portfolio_2021_007 Women victims of violence now guests of the Casa Fiorinda anti-violence shelter. Naples, Italy, 2013
esposito_portfolio_2021_008 The traditional Easter Monday procession of the Madonna dell'Arco. Naples, Italy, 2017
esposito_portfolio_2021_009 The place of the murder of Luigi Lucenti, 50, believed to be close to the clan of the Scissionists. Lucenti tried to take refuge in a nursery school, but was murdered by killers who caused panic among mothers as they were waiting for their children to go out of school. Naples, Italy, 2012
esposito_portfolio_2021_010 The traditional Easter Monday procession of the Madonna dell'Arco. Naples, Italy, 2017
esposito_portfolio_2021_011 Boxing match at night. Boxer Alberto Di Vicino. Grazzanise, Caserta, Italy, 2010
esposito_portfolio_2021_012 Salvatore Pizzo boxing gym. Boxer Antonio Pirozzi training. Giugliano, Naples, Italy, 2010
esposito_portfolio_2021_013 Woman living with her dog in an abandoned Ex Motel Agip in Secondigliano distrct. Naples, Italy, 2019
esposito_portfolio_2021_014 The boat cemetery near the port where there are dozens of wrecks used for crossings. Lampedusa, Agrigento, Italy, 2013
esposito_portfolio_2021_015 A woman victim of violence, now guest of the Casa Fiorinda anti-violence shelter. Naples, Italy, 2013
esposito_portfolio_2021_016 Young Somali migrants in their room in the reception center. Lampedusa, Agrigento, Italy, 2013
esposito_portfolio_2021_017 The lifeless body of Salvatore Barbato after an ambush by the Camorra in Largo Macello in Secondigliano, stronghold of the "shot" of the Vanella Grassi Clan. Naples, Italy, 2012
esposito_portfolio_2021_018 Genny Cesarano a 17 years old boy with previous convictions for robbery and possession of gun, was killed by a commando of Camorra. Maybe he was not the target but he was the only one to die. The friends and other guys of the quarter walking and singing through the neighborhood in honor of Genny. Naples, Italy, 2015
esposito_portfolio_2021_019 The traditional Easter Monday procession of the Madonna dell'Arco. Naples, Italy, 2017
esposito_portfolio_2021_020 The traditional Easter Monday procession of the Madonna dell'Arco. Naples, Italy, 2015
esposito_portfolio_2021_021 Rione Traiano, one of the most dangerous quarter in town, a young boy killed by Camorra for drugs-related business. Naples, Italy, 2007
esposito_portfolio_2021_022 The deserted city during Covid-19 lockdown. The Galleria Umberto I, traffic policemen during patrols. Naples, Italy, 2020
esposito_portfolio_2021_023 The traditional Easter Monday procession of the Madonna dell'Arco. Naples, Italy, 2016
esposito_portfolio_2021_024 The traditional Easter Monday procession of the Madonna dell'Arco. Naples, Italy, 2017
esposito_portfolio_2021_025 A woman victim of violence posing in her house with the pictures of her sons. She reported her husband when he started abusing their sons too. Her husband was arrested after the denounce. In prison, he promised to kill her as he soon as he was released. Naples, Italy, 2013
esposito_portfolio_2021_026 The traditional Easter Monday procession of the Madonna dell'Arco. Naples, Italy, 2017
esposito_portfolio_2021_027 The traditional Easter Monday procession of the Madonna dell'Arco. Naples, Italy, 2016
esposito_portfolio_2021_028 Boxer Renzo Serino in his quarter. Giugliano, Naples, Italy, 2010
esposito_portfolio_2021_029 Stock Exchange Square. Bordeaux, France, 2010

Born in Torre del Greco in 1976, Salvatore is a documentary photographer specialized in long-term projects.
He is committed to telling stories about “the human being” and to understanding nowadays profound social changes.
From 2014 to 2016 he was Ambassador of Manfrotto and still today he teaches at the Manfrotto School of Excellence as part of the photographic project “Picture of Life” where he teaches photography to young guys at risk involved in crimes related to organized crime.
In 2014 he shot his first award-winning documentary “La Cella Zero” which tells a great violation of human rights: torture against prisoners in Poggioreale prison by some prison officers.
In 2016 he shot his second short film La Forza del Silenzio that supports the long-term photographic project and tells the story of two autistic twins. The work is an intimate insight into autism and how it affects the life of a family.

Naples, Italy

More info

Stories

What is missing
The power of silence

Books

La Forza del Silenzio. LFS/Sguardo. 2019
Quello che Manca. Contrasto. 2014

Awards

2019. POYi, finalist in the category World Understanding Award
2017. Coffi Film Festival Italia, best documentary Award
2015. Social World Film Festival, “Premio Cinema Campania” – as a young director from Campania 2015. Sedicicorto International Film Festival, honorable mention best reportage
2015. Napoli Film Festival, Award “Schermonapoli Doc 2015” – Award “Corriere del Mezzogiorno” best reportage
2015. Getty Images Grant, winner
2015. Salento Finubus Terrae, human rights category winner
2015. Ischia Film Festival, Honorable mention section “Location Denied”
2015. Coffi Film Festival Italia, documentary category winner
2014. NPPA Award, 1st place – Best Cover category
2014. Sony World Photography Award, 2nd place in the category Life Style
2014. Sony World Photography Award, 2nd place in the category Current Affairs
2011. Le Scoop Grand Lille, Festival Europeen Du Journlaisme. 1st place prix du documentaire (prix photo)
2011. Premio Giornalistico Internazionale Marco Luchetta, ” Miran Hrovatin ” Award, finalist
2010. China International Press Photo Contest, 2nd place in the “general news stories” category 2009.
2009. Terry O’neill Award, 1st prize

Exhibitions & Screenings

2019. “La Forza del Silenzio”. Emergency. Venice, Italy
2017. “Gang City”. La Biennale Della Democrazia – Scuola Holden. Turin, Italy
2016. “Gang City”. La Biennale Di Architettura – Evento Collaterale. Venice, Italy
2014. Bratislava Month of Photography: “Sony Photography Award Exhibition”, “What is Missing”, “The Power of Silence”. Bratislava, Slovakia
2014. International Festival of Business: “Sony Photography Award Exhibition”, “What is Missing”, “The Power of Silence”. Liverpool, UK
2014. Somerset House: “Sony Photography Award Exhibition”, “What is Missing”, “The Power of Silence”. London, UK
2012. Festival for Young Photojournalism ” The Hell of Scampia”. Hannover, Germany
2011. 14° International Photographic Art Festival “Generation Bordeaux”. Lishui, China
2011. ” The Hell of Scampia”. Ivrea Foto Festival. Sinagoga Di Ivrea. Ivrea, Italy
2011. “Colmena”. Fondazione La Colombaia Di Luchino Visconti. Forio, Italy
2011. “Adolescence, La Couleur Est Dans Nos Reves”. Association Saint Francoise Xavier. Gradignan, France
2009. “The Hell Of Scampia”. Ipg Gallery. Battle, UK
2009. Getty Images Gallery “Terry O’ Neill Award Exhibition “The Hell Of Scampia”. London, UK
2007. “Integrazione: Diversità E Culture Della Napoli Del Nuovo Millennio”. Naples subway – Vanvitelli station. Naples, Italy