‘Festival dei Popoli:’ A Lense on Documentaries

Jeff Buckley

Sun. 2 – Wed. 9: FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL.  Cinema La Compagnia, Cinema Astra, French Institute, MAD Murate District.

The 66th edition of Festival dei Popoli, the International Documentary Festival, will showcase 90 films, many of them in English or with English subtitles, while hosting a wide range of Italian and international guests. Through the lens of documentary cinema, this edition offers a reflection on the world of today whilst preserving historical memory.

This year’s programme offers a diverse selection of documentaries and media covering various themes; memories from Gaza and the war in Ukraine as experienced in “Paleontology Lesson,” (November 9, La Compagnia at 6.45 pm), a production of “Turandot” by artist Ai Weiwei (November 4, La Compagnia at 9 pm) and the music of Jeff Buckley in “It’s Never Over” (November 9, La Compagnia at 9 pm) and Piero Pelù in “Rumore Dentro” (November 5, La Compagnia at 9.30 pm). The festival also revisits 1980s Florence, explores urgent contemporary matters such as AI manipulation and fake news, and pays tribute to the anti-fascist leader who became Italy’s president, Sandro Pertini, (November 9, La Compagnia at 11 am).

The festival opens with Popoli for Kids and Teens (November 2), featuring selected documentaries and short films dedicated to children and young audiences.

The official inauguration will take place on Monday, November 3 at 8.30 pm, with the national premiere of “With Hasan in Gaza” by Palestinian director Kamal Aljafari – a journey through Gaza through rediscovered tapes from 2001, where the filmmaker, guided by Hasan, searches for an old prison companion.  The following day, November 4, the director will give a talk in English and meet with the audience at Cinema Astra (piazza Beccaria, 10 am).

The opening day at La Compagnia cinema will start at 6 pm with a tribute screening dedicated to the African pioneer filmmaker, Sarah Maldoror, featured as part of the Feminist Frames section – highlighting works by female directors that delve into topics of militancy and liberation. This will be preceded by inauguration of a retrospective exhibition in her honour at SRISA Gallery (via Santa Reparata 9) at 5 pm.  (April Shally)