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This summer, London’s Bertha DocHouse will host the 3rd edition of the CINECITTÀ Italian Doc Season, a bi-annual celebration of Italy’s rich documentary tradition. Scheduled for July 20-21, the event marks a significant milestone as it coincides with the centenary of Istituto Luce, a cornerstone of Italian cinematic and photographic heritage.
Istituto Luce, founded in 1924, was instrumental in chronicling Italy’s social and historical journey through film. Over the years, it has amassed an extensive archive of newsreels, documentaries, and current affairs footage, making it one of the richest audio-visual collections in Europe.
This vast repository has been recognised by UNESCO’s “Memory of the World Programme” for its invaluable contribution to preserving the world’s historical records. Today, the legacy of Istituto Luce is meticulously maintained by Cinecittà, ensuring that this treasure trove continues to inform and inspire.
Reflecting on this heritage, the Italian Doc Season brings three UK premieres that explore different facets of Italian society and personal narratives, each offering a unique window into the past while addressing contemporary issues.
Spotlight on the Documentaries
1. FOOD FOR PROFIT
Directed by Pablo D’Ambrosi and Giulia Innocenzi
This investigative documentary pulls back the curtain on the dark side of intensive farming. By exposing the inhumane treatment of animals, environmental degradation, and the looming threat of future pandemics linked to these practices, “Food for Profit” challenges the sanitized image of the dairy and meat industries. Through a cinematic lens, D’Ambrosi and Innocenzi confront farmers, corporations, and politicians, unravelling the often-hidden truths behind the food consumed across Europe. The film’s narrative is a powerful call to rethink the ethics and sustainability of our food systems.
2. FRAGMENTS OF A LIFE LOVED
Directed by Chloé Barreau
In this deeply personal documentary, Chloé Barreau revisits her romantic past through the eyes of her former lovers. Spanning relationships with both men and women, Barreau’s journey of self-exploration offers a poignant reflection on love, memory, and the passage of time. The film juxtaposes archival recordings with present-day interviews, revealing the differing perspectives on shared experiences. “Fragments of a Life Loved” has garnered acclaim for its candid exploration of intimacy and has been nominated for awards at prominent festivals such as Hot Docs and the Venice Film Festival.
3. THE SECRET DRAWER
Directed by Costanza Quatriglio
“The Secret Drawer” is a touching homage to filmmaker Costanza Quatriglio’s father, a respected Sicilian journalist. Following his passing in 2022, Quatriglio embarks on a sentimental journey through her family home, uncovering decades of personal and collective history. Utilizing photographs, 8mm films, and audio recordings, the documentary interweaves personal memories with broader historical contexts, creating a rich tapestry of 20th-century life. Premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival, this film delves into the delicate interplay between individual legacy and collective memory.
A New Wave of Italian Documentary Filmmaking
“The Italian documentary, in all its different creative and productive forms, has become one of the most emerging original genres in our country,” notes Enrico Bufalini, director of Archivo Luce-Cinecittà. “Cinecittà, the leading producer and distributor of Italian documentaries, has the mission of promoting them internationally. The collaboration with the prestigious Bertha DocHouse is a significant documentary review, bringing to the British audience a selection of documentaries focused on the diversity and vibrancy of Italian reality cinema. A new generation of filmmakers has reinterpreted the legacy of great Italian realism, leading it into a more contemporary and visionary dimension.”
Jenny Horwell, Bertha DocHouse director and programmer, echoes this enthusiasm: “We’re excited to collaborate with Cinecittà, celebrating the centenary of the Istituto Luce archive and bringing the UK premieres of three such contrasting works of Italian nonfiction to London.”
As the 3rd CINECITTÀ Italian Doc Season unfolds, audiences will experience a dynamic blend of Italy’s past and present, reflected through the lens of its vibrant documentary tradition. These films not only celebrate the rich legacy of Istituto Luce but also herald a new era of Italian documentary filmmaking, poised to captivate and challenge viewers worldwide.
For more information on the festival and screening times, visit Bertha DocHouse.
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