Documentary Films at ‘Festival dei Popoli’ 2024

Sat. 2 – Sun. 10: FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL.  Cinema La Compagnia (via Cavour 50/r).  Films are screened in their original languages with Italian and English subtitles, making it accessible for study abroad students and foreign residents alike.

The 65th Festival dei Popoli will take place in Florence from November 2 to 10, 2024, showcasing over 90 documentary films that delve into pressing themes such as democracy, the courage of women activists, and visions for a sustainable future. The program includes several competitive sections: the International Feature Film Competition with nine premieres, and a new Discoveries International Competition featuring short and medium-length films by emerging directors. Special sections include Habitat, focusing on environmental and human rights issues, Let the Music Play for music documentaries, Popoli for Kids and Teens, and Doc at Work – Future Camps, highlighting works from top European film schools. Notably, the Feminist Frames section will present films directed by women that center on various moments of struggle over the last century.

The festival will kick off on Saturday, November 2, at 5 pm with Gianfranco Pannone’s “Qui é Altrove” exploring the intersection of theater and prison life at the Medici Fortress in Volterra, followed by the screening of Silje Evensmo Jacobsen’s award-winning “A New Kind of Wilderness” at 6:30 pm, which offers a moving look at a family’s struggle with tragedy in a Norwegian forest. The opening night will then feature the Italian premiere of “Fiore Mio,” directed by acclaimed writer Paolo Cognetti, at 8:30 pm at La Compagnia cinema, along with a live performance by musician Vasco Brondi, who composed the film’s score.

Festival dei Popoli will also present the world premiere of “To Gaza,” on November 3, offering a powerful view of life along the Gaza Strip through the eyes of those under fire. Additionally, Michael Premo’s “Homegrown” on November 4, will explore the events at Capitol Hill on January 6th 2021, providing insight just ahead of the presidential vote that could reshape the world.

Highlighting the festival’s commitment to female filmmakers, more than half of the documentaries presented this year are directed by women. The ‘Feminist Frames’ programme will include “Remanence” by Sabine Groenewegen on November 6, the film with archive footage of a pacifist movement led by Dutch women in the 1930s. Also, “È a questo punto che nasce il bisogno di fare storia” (It Is At This Point that the Need to Make History Arises) will be shown on November 5. The documentary examines the work of feminist Carla Lonzi, born in Florence, and tells also the stories of other women, focussing on the importance of memory and time. Festival dei Popoli also features a variety of special guests, including notable directors and artists such as Albert Serra, Pietro Marcello, Alice Rohrwacher, and Vinicio Capossela.

Habitat is the section that aims to raise awareness of the urgency of various current environmental and humanitarian crises. On November 7, “Save our Souls” by director Jean-Baptiste Bonnet documents the ambulance ship that spent six weeks at sea rescuing almost 40,000 people. It will depict the complex political and human issues that took place within the confined space of the ship, at the borders of Europe. “Coral City” by Camille Ghekiere and Charlotte De Cort will centre around Kushlani, a Sri Lankan scientist and mother, who is researching the DNA of coral systems, an issue frequently spoken about due to the rising sea temperature. It will screen on November 6.

This year, the festival welcomes Catalan director Albert Serra as a special guest. He will present the Italian premiere of his documentary “Tardes de Soledad” which investigates the world of bullfighting through the lens of young matador Andrés Roca Rey. The film, recently awarded the La Concha d’Oro at the San Sebastián Film Festival, will screen on November 7 at 7 pm. Serra will also lead a masterclass at Palazzo Strozzi on November 5, followed by a retrospective of his unique works, which blend cinema and installation art.

Founded in 1959, the Festival dei Popoli is the oldest international documentary film festival in Europe and has become Italy’s leading platform for promoting social documentary cinema. Over the decades, it has celebrated the works of influential filmmakers and engaged with themes of social justice and human rights. With its extensive archive of over 25,000 titles and ongoing training initiatives for aspiring filmmakers, the festival continues to be a crucial platform for exploring and understanding the world through documentary storytelling.

The festival will take place at various venues across Florence, including Cinema Astra, Cinema La Compagnia, and Spazio al Fieri, all conveniently located in the historic center and easily accessible by foot or public transportation. PARC – Performing Arts Research Center is farther out and requires a bus ride or a long walk, while Terminale Cinema is situated outside the city, hosting the “Popoli for Kids and Teens” programming. This diverse selection of locations allows attendees to enjoy the festival while exploring Florence.

Tickets can be purchased online for convenience, with options including a festival pass for €60, valid for all venues throughout the festival, or a day pass for €12 for a single day of programming.

Ticket Prices:

Regular ticket: €8.00

Reduced ticket: €6.00

Afternoon only: €6.00

Evening only (from 8:30 pm): €8.00

Festival pass: €60.00 (Reduced: €40.00)

Day Pass: €12.00 (Reduced: €10.00)

**Reduced rates are available to those who present one of the following cards at the box office: Mediateca Regionale Toscana, Carta Socio Coop, Arci, Carte de membre dell’Institut français, Carta Giovani, Carta Argento, Libretto universitario, Amici di Palazzo Strozzi.

Most tickets can be bought on the websites of La Compagnia or Astra cinemas, while PARC tickets are available at the venue. (William Slavinsky)