Film 'La versione di Anita' gives voice to Garibaldi's wife on 200th birthday

A new film directed by Luca Criscenti, 'La versione di Anita', premieres in Italian cinemas on June 1, 2023, marking the bicentenary of Anita Garibaldi's birth. The film blends fiction and archival material, presenting Anita's story in first person. She is portrayed as a young Brazilian heroine, Ana Maria de Jesus Ribero da Silva, who recounts her life as a woman, fighter, wife, and mother. The narrative includes a radio interview conducted by Marino Sinibaldi playing himself, conversations with her husband Giuseppe Garibaldi, critical analysis by historians, and direct addresses to the audience. The film challenges the traditional image of Anita as merely Garibaldi's faithful wife, revealing her as an autonomous and independent figure. Shot in Italy and South America, locations include Rome (Gianicolo, Villa Spada, Casino dei Quattro Venti, Villa del Vascello), Ravenna, the Po Delta Park, Comacchio Valleys, Fattoria Guiccioli di Mandriole (where Anita died), Cesenatico, Bologna (Piazza Maggiore, Archivio di Stato, Biblioteca di Palazzo Poggi), Genoa (historic center, Teatro Carlo Felice, Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi), Milan (Museo del Risorgimento), Rieti (Palazzo Colelli, Cinema Moderno), Cetona, Sant'Angelo in Vado, San Marino, and Turin (Palazzo del Parlamento Subalpino). Historians Roberto Balzani and Silvia Cavicchioli appear. The film aims to give Anita a voice to tell her own story directly, without censorship.