Stefano Savona's 'La strada dei Samouni' blends documentary and animation at Cannes 2018

At the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, Stefano Savona's film 'La strada dei Samouni' premiered in the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs section, alongside Gianni Zanasi's 'Troppa Grazia'. The documentary-animation hybrid recounts the true story of the Samouni family, Palestinian farmers from the outskirts of Gaza City. In January 2009, during Israel's Operation Cast Lead, 29 members of the family were killed. The narrative follows young Amal Samouni, who recalls a lost sycamore tree and her family's pre-war life. Savona uses black-and-white animation by Simone Massi to recreate key memories, stating that 'cinema goes beyond news reporting and allows the viewer to approach the protagonists' experience more intimately and deeply.' The survivors, who view their lost relatives as martyrs, now face rebuilding their homes and community. The film is noted for its lucid, sensitive, and neutral portrayal of a harrowing story. The article by Margherita Bordino on Artribune emphasizes the film's focus on memory and resilience over rancor.