Through the questioning and understanding of reality, I am looking to make work that fosters human connection; work that would make little iari proud.
Bio
Iari Varriale is a Brooklyn-based editor and cinematographer, whose work spans the breadth of creative documentary filmmaking. He is drawn to the poetic potential of science, and he aspires to craft documentaries that explore the ethereal landscapes of neuroscience, the tangible wonders of organic chemistry, and the harmonious blend of technology and art.
His works have appeared on Netflix, and premiered at DOC NYC and True/False, including screenings at other prestigious festivals. His commercial clients include the multinational Alibaba.com and the global sporting company Decathlon. Iari was a 2020-2021 Union Docs Fellow, an organization dedicated to fostering the creation, exhibition, and study of documentary films. He is an active member of the Alliance of Documentary Editors - a network of artists with more than a thousand members worldwide - where he serves on the Budget and Finance Committee. He holds an MSc in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Pisa, Italy, and an MA in Documentary Film from Tallinn University, Estonia.
Italy has always been a love-and-hate relationship, a juxtaposition of contrasting beauty. I grew up in a small seaside town where the whispers of disapproval at anything deemed "different" echoed through the narrow streets, a constant reminder of the small town's ingrained conservatism. Living felt like being trapped inside a breathtaking museum exhibit, encased in a bygone era where thick glass walls prohibited any meaningful interaction with the world outside.
My dad was a middle school teacher and my mom an office worker, were practical and hardworking individuals. While I wasn't surrounded by artists, I was raised in an environment that fostered curiosity and intellectual exploration.
This led me to a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and briefly worked at the University of Pisa as a researcher on Glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Later, with the support of a full merit scholarship, I embarked on a new path, earning a Master's degree in Documentary Film at the University of Tallinn, Estonia.
When people ask why I transitioned from science to film and art, I often struggle to find a concise answer. Nonetheless, I firmly believe that documentaries have the power to shape the world; as one of my mentors wisely said, "Documentary is about people".
In a time of rapid change, marked by the looming threat of climate change, the rise of right-wing populism, and the insidious spread of ignorance, our world is in dire need of empathy, understanding, and critical thinking. As an epidemic of mental health issues and social disconnection plagues our societies, documentaries allow the audiences to confront the unknown, whether it's a stranger's perspective or a difficult situation, illuminating the darkness and inspiring hope.
