Scottish musician's 'empowering return' to appear on film soundtrack after sexual abuse trauma

Now a song written and performed by Emma Morton is to appear on the soundtrack of the directorial debut of one of Italy's best loved actors.

Where We Begin, which is written in Scots, features in Monica Guerritore’s film Anna, a biopic about Anna Magnani - the first ever non -English speaking actress to win an Oscar - in which Ms Guerritore stars and directs.

Ms Morton, originally from East Lothian, who was previously a finalist on X Factor Italia in 2014, said she had stopped producing music for a number of years due to suffering PTSD following the conviction of a man who had sexually abused her when she was a minor.

She said said the song had been written during the legal case against a Scottish music teacher who was in 2021 sentenced to eight years for abusing pupils over more than two decades.

She said: “I wrote and recorded Where We Begin in 2019, dedicating it to my daughter. It is a promise - of unconditional love, safety and hope written in Modern Scots.

“That year marked a profound turning point in my life. I had recently been diagnosed with PTSD relating to childhood sexual abuse — experiences I had never spoken about before — and I was on the brink of entering the criminal justice system, beginning what would become a six-year journey towards justice. Although justice was ultimately achieved, it came at a devastating cost to my health and my career.

She added: “The song is also an ode to myself and to the childhood experiences I didn’t get to experience - and the innocence we should all experience in childhood.”

She was approached by the film’s producers after director Ms Guerritore met with her partner and music collaborator, who was involved with music on the film. The song was recorded in Sound Set Studio in Tuscany, run by the drummer on the track, Piero Perelli.

Ms Morton said: “My longtime collaborator - and now partner - Raphael Gualazzi wrote Anna’s Theme for the film’s soundtrack. During a meeting with director Monica Guerritore, the two were searching for a song to accompany a pivotal scene. Raphael played her Where We Begin, and she connected with it instantly. She asked whether I would consider allowing the song to be used in the film; I agreed without hesitation.”

Ms Guerritore later wrote: “When I heard this voice, I fell in love. It was Emma Morton’s voice that I chose to accompany Anna in her most private memory.”

Ms Morton added: “When the opportunity arose for Where We Begin to be heard, I chose to say yes - despite the fear. After so many years of silence, it feels right that the first song to speak is one rooted in love, resilience and hope.

The film premiered in Rome and is currently touring France and Belgium. Ms Guerritore, who is a renowned stage actor in Italy, has also appeared on Italian Netflix hit Deceitful Love, where she played the mature lover of Gray’s Anatomy star Giacomo Gianniotti.

Anna Magnani, who Ms Guerritore plays in Anna, died in 1973. During her lifetime, she was dubbed "the greatest acting genius since Eleonora Duse“ by director Roberto Rossellini, while playwright Tennessee Williams became an admirer of her acting and wrote The Rose Tattoo specifically for her to star in, a role for which she received the Oscar.

Ms Morton added: “Being involved in a project created by and centred on such powerful women has been a profound honour.

“Although I am still recovering from PTSD and am not currently undertaking live performances, it means more than I can express to have this music released into the world. To be heard and to connect - feels both deeply vulnerable and quietly empowering.”