Born in 1985, Matteo Bastianelli is a freelance photographer and journalist based in Rome. He graduated at the “Scuola Romana di Fotografia” in 2009. In 2007 he started working on long-term projects about homeless conditions, squats in Rome, health sistem in Croatia, living-conditions of the Croatian and Bosnian Romany (Rom) population who live in ghettos financed by the European Community. Currently he is documenting consequences of the genocide carried out by Serbs against the Bosnian Muslims in former Yugoslavia, where, 15 years after the end of the war, 30.000 people are still officially missing. In his work Matteo Bastianelli merges his personal experiences and civil commitment, through voluntary work, that allow him to come within close proximity of his subjects and with whom he loves to establish human relationships that go far beyond a simple photographic tale. His pictures have been published in some of the most important Italian newspapers and magazines, such as Messaggero, Corriere della Sera, Liberazione, L’Espresso and also in some international magazines, such as Photo District News, Blur, Drome, Miro, Burn and Foto8.
18-year-old male twins, both blind since birth. Both self-destructive, their hands are tied up by the nursing staff to prevent them from hurting others or themselves. Not being able to use their hands they bite their arms continually. Their parents visit them during the holidays.
On the bottom right-hand side is 8 year old Tony, affected by Wolf-Hirschhdrn syndrome. In the background is the left wall of the ex-Castle, transformed into a sanatorium for children after the Second World War and, since 1963, has been a hospital for long-term patients suffering with genetic complaints.
A boy, who is self-destructive, with his foot tied to his bed by a bandage. That is normal practise for the nurses, as it prevents patients from hurting themselves and others.
Mario, aged 14, is afflicted with fetal alcohol sindrome. He loves being caressed, in spite of his hard looks. Approximately 80% of the in-mates die in the hospital, without ever returning to their family home.
Anna, one of the volunteers from the Garden of Blue Roses Foundation with Filip, one of the 110 patients at the Hospital. Filip is gravely mentally-handicapped, blind and often causes himself severe bodily harm. However, during his calm moments, he craves for cuddles.
Velimir, aged 31, epileptic and with psychomotor problems, is one of the oldest patients in the Hospital. He has been there for over 20 years. He spends his days sitting in front of the window and loves being caressed, in spite of his hard looks.
