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Arrival at SRF: The Beginning of an Encounter
The sky was gray that morning in Zurich and it was starting to rain when I glimpsed the imposing SRF Swiss Radio and Television building from the tram.
Arriving 10 minutes early, I waited another 5 minutes before texting Daniele Oldani, creator and host of “Ombelico del mondo,” RSI’s radio program.
The Radio entrance was closed, the lights were off inside, not a soul around, and for a moment I was gripped by the idea that I had gotten the wrong address. It wouldn’t be the first time for me—despite my 7 years in Zurich, I always feel like a tourist. From my phone, I texted Daniele who immediately replied: fortunately I hadn’t made a mistake and he was coming to pick me up as planned.
Daniele Oldani and the Art of Listening
The time it took to shake hands and I already felt like I’d known him forever. Daniele is affable, friendly, one of those who puts you at ease right from the start. He conveyed a rare empathy to me. He has the pace of someone who works with tight schedules, fitting one interview after another, yet he manages to stop, look you in the eyes, and truly listen to you.
On the short walk inside the SRF studios, he asked me a couple of questions and lit up listening to the answers. I understood that mentally he was already in front of the microphone. A moment later, we both were: seated, microphone on, headphones on: we begin.
A Journey Through Words, Roots, and Wonder
For Daniele, every encounter is a story to listen to. He has the ability to portray people through what they tell, capturing essence in details, between one word and another. With deep respect and delicacy, he manages to touch intimate themes with the right tone, and as if by magic, I found myself confiding and sharing thoughts with a new friend.
In “Ombelico del Mondo,” stories of roots, emotions, and universal questions intertwine in an intimate journey between territory, imagination, the meaning of living, and the search for happiness.
During our conversation, I told how Valle Verzasca became my personal “navel of the world,” and about a documentary that has lived inside me for a long time: “Sulle tracce del Prete Rosso” (Following the Red Priest’s Traces), inspired by Giuseppina Togni’s novel, a dream that is slowly taking shape.
And then, unexpectedly, the gift of a journey on a fantastic steam train and the unexpected joy of meeting someone dear to me and living together an authentic movie scene!
A Fragment of Me in the Radio Waves
Like someone emerging from an inner journey. Talking with Daniele was like looking in the mirror with the freedom of simply being yourself. His gentle presence opened an authentic space where you could tell your story without masks.
For me, used to telling others’ stories, it was surprising to let myself be told. Daniele has that mysterious gift of great listeners—he knows how to make the invisible visible.
Leaving the studio, I felt that something had moved. Like when a light wind touches you and you realize you’ve let a fragment of yourself go into the world.
One part remained there, among those radio waves. The other resumed the journey, with a fuller heart.
The Magic of a Shared Portrait
Heartfelt thanks to Daniele Oldani for his attentive gaze, sensitivity, and great ability to put at ease even those used to being behind the camera. For once, I was the one being portrayed: a moment of authentic spontaneity, full of meaning.
Thanks also to Tomislav Pejnovic, sound technician and invisible hand of the radio wave, who with precision and discretion accompanied every moment of the recording.
And thanks for letting yourselves be wrapped in the magic of images in this final selfie, which I wanted to take to preserve the memory of this special encounter.
Discover our complete conversation on RSI 🎧: 👉 Antonio Manco – La magia delle immagini (RSI)
🎥 The Red Priest Documentary (Trailer) In the heart of Valle Verzasca, a film takes shape: a journey through history, mystery, and memory. Watch the trailer: ▶️ Trailer ufficiale – Il Prete Rosso (2026)
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Sapiens Production
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Antonio Manco is a founder of Sapiens Production, a leading audiovisual production company known for its impactful and innovative content.
Specializing in high-quality films, documentaries, and corporate videos, Sapiens Production resonates with audiences worldwide. Antonio’s expertise in storytelling and cinematic vision ensures each project meets the highest standards of creativity and excellence, pushing the boundaries of audiovisual media to deliver inspiring and engaging narratives.
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