Documentary 'Mathera – L’ascolto dei sassi' Premieres in Italian Cinemas

The documentary film 'Mathera – L’ascolto dei sassi', directed by Francesco Invernizzi and Vito Salinaro, will be released in Italian cinemas on January 21, 22, and 23, 2019. Produced by Magnitudo Film and Chili, the film explores Matera, the European Capital of Culture for 2019, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities alongside Aleppo and Jericho. Shot in 8K, it captures the city's ancient cave dwellings, known as Sassi, and traces its history from the Paleolithic era to its modern revival. The documentary includes voices from scientists, politicians, and locals, addressing Matera's past as a 'national shame' (as termed by Alcide De Gasperi) and its transformation after the 1970s. Invernizzi, who also produced the film, stated that the project originated from a local's suggestion and later a journalist's proposal, emphasizing that Matera itself called for the film. The narrative highlights the city's cultural heritage, including the tradition of the Cavalieri della Bruna, and its role as a crossroads of cultures.