“Siloku”: a word from the Japanese vocabulary that is almost untranslatable into Italian: it means “you are there”, but it is a concept that indicates in a broader and deeper way a space in which the person is at the centre, with its individuality, in its entirety. Returning to the center of your life: this is what the women of the association do C6 Silokuwho go through the experience of oncological disease and, twice a week, find themselves looking and rowing in the same direction, each with their own experience, on the same boat, or rather, on the same 20-seater boat, the dragon boaton the Naviglio Grande in Milan.
On the same boat is the title of a documentary directed by Ginevra Solaroli, premiered at the Iulm university of Milan, as part of the 33rd edition of Sguardi Altrove – Women’s International Film Festivala film festival that explores the present through the female gaze, addressing crucial issues such as human rights, gender equality, migration, social justice, inclusion.
On the same boat – dedicated to Corinna and Aya, two women who are no longer here today – is the moving, delicate and at times poetic story of the C6 Siloku experience, association committed to promoting personal well-being and supporting cancer patients, their families and caregivers. Among the activities promoted by the association, the outings on the dragon boat, with the Società Canottieri San Cristoforo and the coach Simone Lunghi.
The preview of the documentary On the same boat at Sguardi Altrove – Women’s International Film Festival at Iulm.
Four women, Tatiana, Franca, Barbara and Annunziata, give voice to the documentary with their stories: each of them experiences the disease in their own way, all four share the desire not to be alone, to come together, share thoughts and emotions, energy and moments of lightheartedness. Rowing together.
Research is making great progress, says Tatiana, who explains how for an oncological disease like hers ten years ago they would have expected a maximum of 6 months to live. For her, two and a half years have passed. “We need to see things in a very positive way,” he says. «And I can’t wait to get back on the dragon boat». For Franca, the disease, at 45 years old, marked a total break between the before and after in her life: there is a Franca before and a Franca after the diagnosis. Getting on the boat always has something magical for her, “it’s a moment of liberation”. In training, he says, he has created deep friendships with people who look you in the eye and to whom you don’t need to explain anything. Barbara reflects on the perception of time, which is distorted by the diagnosis of cancer. But from the first momentshe refused to give up and let go. Today, in addition to dragon boating, she has rediscovered crochet, an activity that allows her to ward off negative thoughts and fear. Annunziata needed energy. «I got on that dragon and never got off again»tells.
A group of women from C6 Siloku during a trip.
«We know neither when we are born nor when we die. But we know what’s in between.”. To conclude, somehow draw the threads and summarize all the stories is the voice of Elena Canavesepsycho-oncological counselor, co-founder of C6 Siloku, who since 2013 has chosen to accompany people experiencing cancer in their treatment, healing and end-of-life journey. «This teaching is what allows me to do my job today, which allows me to be close to people who get sick. And also to be next to people who die. Because it’s as if an ancient part inside me told me: it’s nature, it belongs to life.”
