75th Venice Film Festival: Two urgent documentaries on roots and racism
During the 75th Venice Film Festival, Pippo Mezzapesa's documentary 'Il bene mio' was showcased as a special event. The film follows Elia (Sergio Rubini), the sole survivor of the earthquake-devastated town of Provvidenza. While his friends encourage him to leave, he remains attached to the memories of his late fiancée, Maria, who perished in a school collapse. A striking scene unfolds when Noor, an undocumented immigrant, disrupts a procession, prompting Elia to state, "Are you illegal? We are all illegal." Additionally, Giorgio Treves' documentary '1938, Diversi' was presented, commemorating the anniversary of racial laws. It includes interviews and archival material, linking past propaganda to contemporary issues, and ends with Umberto Eco's caution about the resurgence of fascism.
Key facts
- 75th Venice Film Festival
- Pippo Mezzapesa's 'Il bene mio' screened as a special event of Giornate degli Autori
- Sergio Rubini stars as Elia, the sole inhabitant of Provvidenza
- Provvidenza is a village left dilapidated after an earthquake
- Elia's fiancée Maria died with her students in the collapse of the elementary school
- Noor, an undocumented immigrant, appears during a procession of the Madonna
- Giorgio Treves' '1938, Diversi' screened on the anniversary of the racial laws
- The documentary features interviews, animation, archive footage, and actors reciting Mussolini or Badoglio
- The film closes with a quote from Umberto Eco about fascism
- The queue for '1938, Diversi' was marked by the performance of 'Giovinezza'
Entities
Artists
- Pippo Mezzapesa
- Sergio Rubini
- Giorgio Treves
- Umberto Eco
- Benito Mussolini
- Pietro Badoglio
Institutions
- Giornate degli Autori
- Venice Film Festival
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Provvidenza
- Sala Perla
- Sala Giardino