Among the special events deserves special attention the Focus on Poland. In collaboration with the Polish Institute in Rome, the LODZ Film School and the Polish Film Institute, it wants to celebrate maestro Kieslowski’s 80th birth anniversary and his 25th death anniversary. With this aim, works by more recent directors will be projected too, such as Grzegorz Jaroszuk’s “Dear Ones“, whose first work, “Kebab & Horoscope” won the RIFF in 2014.
Black Films Matter, confirmed for the second year, is the first official section dedicated to this cinematography in an Italian festival. The aim is that of bringing more viewers closer to this reality that can no longer be ignored. Shaka King’s “Judas and the Black Messiah” (winner of 2 Oscars) and “I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)!” by Kelley Kali will be screened.
Furthermore, for the third consecutive year, there will be the Love & Pride Day: The Value of Diversity. This confirms the RIFF’s wishes to dedicate an entire day to the screening of various LGBTQ+ themed titles, among which Eliane Raheb’s documentary “Miguel’s War”, winner of the Teddy Awards at the Berlinale 2021.
This year RIFF also wants to remember maestro Franco Battiato by proposing “Temporary Road – (One) life of Franco Battiato” (2013), directed by Giuseppe Pollicelli and Mario Tani. The documentary is a snapshot of Battiato, through an intimate self-narrative, interwoven with mysticism and, of course, through his music. A tribute to one of the most multifaceted figures of contemporary culture, to tell the many nuances of an artist, whose art ranges from music, cinema, experimentation and meditation.
At the event “I can: Get out of violence. The power to generate freedom for oneself and for everyone”, the RIFF will announce the winner of the competition based on the affirmation of women’s freedom as a necessary condition to prevent violence against them, aimed at young people between 18 and 30 years. The event is planned in collaboration with D.i.Re – Women in the network against violence as part of the project Free to be, funded by the Department for Equal Opportunities.
