Gianni Amelio's 'Il signore delle formiche' premieres at Venice 79

Gianni Amelio's film 'Il signore delle formiche' premieres in competition at the 79th Venice International Film Festival and releases in Italian theaters on September 8, 2022 via 01 Distribution. The film recounts the unjust 1968 trial of poet and playwright Aldo Braibanti (1922–2014), who was sentenced to nine years in prison for 'plagio' (plagiarism)—a charge that effectively criminalized homosexuality and nonconformity. Braibanti was accused of subjugating a young male student and friend, who was subsequently institutionalized and subjected to electroshock therapy by his family. The crime of plagio was later abolished from the Italian penal code. The cast includes Luigi Lo Cascio as Braibanti, Elio Germano, Sara Serraiocco, and debutant Leonardo Maltese. Amelio emphasizes the contemporary relevance of the story, noting that similar injustices persist today in different forms, such as homophobic attacks and bullying. The film incorporates Braibanti's poetry to convey the power of love.