Lidio Cipriani, Attilio Gatti and the shooting of Siliva Zulu 1927

This essay examines the 1927 documentary film Siliva Zulu, directed by Attilio Gatti with the support of anthropologist Lidio Cipriani, filmed in South Africa. While the existing academic research primarily focuses on the blurred boundaries between fiction and documentary genres within the film, this study introduces new sources concerning the film’s production. Through an analysis of archival documents, personal correspondence, and contemporary reviews, the essay reveals new aspects of Siliva Zulu. Furthermore, it traces the dissemination and reception of these materials from their inception to the present day, and how Siliva Zulu has been reinterpreted over time. This investigation not only enriches the understanding of early ethnographic filmmaking but also highlights the enduring impact of Siliva Zulu on cinematic, anthropological, and colonial discourses.