Sky Arte Documentary Explores Italian History Through War Diaries and Folk Music

Sky Arte will air the documentary "Scherza con i fanti" on Sunday, July 16, 2023, offering a tragicomic journey through the last century of Italian history, from war to peace. The film, directed by Gianfranco Pannone and composer Ambrogio Sparagna, centers on four war diaries—written by three men and one woman—paired with folk songs, some composed by Sparagna. The production was made possible by the Archivio storico Luce. The directors explain that the combination of folk songs and diaries aims to humorously depict the Italian people's difficult relationship with the military and power, while also serving as a universal hymn to peace. They note that Italy's bloody history over two millennia offers lessons for today's complex conflicts, emphasizing that folk songs often convey the sorrow of separation from loved ones and the grim certainty of becoming cannon fodder, rather than glorifying war—except for the fascist period. The content on Sky Arte's website is curated by Artribune.