Lisa Camillo is an Italian-Australian human rights driven filmmaker, anthropologist, presenter and writer. She’s directed, produced and written award-winning documentaries and films, including Balentes, the Brave Ones, which was released in cinemas in Australia, the US as well as screening at many international film festivals. She returned to Italy two years ago to find love, after finding romance in Australia difficult. Not long before the Covid-19 lock-down she met a French chiropractor who lived and worked in Italy, and quickly fell in love. The pair became an iso-couple during Covid-19, offering each other solace, support and romance during this difficult period of time. In August, post-lock-down they took her father's boat across the Adriatic to Greece, now they find themselves stuck on a boat trying to get back into Italy, awaiting a Covid-test. We chat to Lisa about love, Australian and Italian men, her work, and why you should follow your dreams, even at 40.

Romance is such a spectacular fantasy ... no wonder we're suspicious of this.

I think dating apps require a certain critical thinking that someone of my sensitive nature doesn't have - because I'm not able to judge someone's character based on their online profile

Are Aussies looking for a mate rather than a romantic partner? Is the search on for an iso-mate? Don't miss our interview with Melissa Hobley, Global CMO of OkCupid, about what sets Aussies apart in the dating game.

Going through the darkness (of my divorce), and realising that so much of my identity was built in that marriage ... I had to learn the concept of self-love again.

I feel like Covid, and as tragic and as awful as it has been, the silver lining for a lot of us is that we're trying to understand our place and person. And in terms of love and relationships Covid has taught me to slow down.

“I went on one date where the guy took me to K-mart. We walked around K-mart while he did his grocery shopping. That was a dud…. I’ve been on many bad dates”.

My preference is for someone who is not of the same ethnic background.

I come from a mixed-ethnic background, my dad is South-Asian and my mum is Middle-Eastern, both are fairly conservative when it comes to dating. It's not something they take lightly, and they've imparted it onto their children. I don't bring anyone home unless I'm really serious and I think that men and women who share that background probably have that experience, and they seek people out with the same values

Bonus Episode 1!

The Slow Love dictionary

I used to think that a monogamous relationship was the gold standard that I had to achieve in life, but having had a few relationships now, and seeing other relationships playo out ... I want an honest relationship with someone. Whether that's monogamous, open or something in between that's up for debate with myself and my future partner.

(Monogamy) is asking for the impossible. I don't think one person can be everything you need.

It's a legal profession and yet there is so much stigma to it - I know a lot of sex workers who have been left in the lurch, unable to claim job keeper and unable to work.

I know how vulnerable and fragile men are, and yet they have to put on this bravado.