Venice Days 2022: Spotlight on Global Cinema and Personal Stories

The Venice Film Festival’s independently operated Giornate Degli Autori will officially kick off with a deeply personal work from Vladlena Sandu. Born in Ukraine, Sandu directs ‘Memory’ — a reflective exploration of her own experiences growing up during the violence of the Chechen conflict. This resonating theme of struggle and resilience shines a spotlight on films sourced from various regions around the globe where war and other severe difficulties persist.

The Giornate, alternatively known as Venice Days, presents a competition boasting ten exclusive world premieres. All entries are non-English films, originating from an international array of nations such as Iran, Lebanon, Kenya, Lithuania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mexico, Spain, Greece, and Italy. The lineup thus offers a world-class stage for culturally diverse storytelling and perspectives.

Another notable selection is by Russian filmmaker Nastia Korkia, who is now based in Germany. Her contribution, ‘A Short Summer’, revisits the Chechen conflict, echoing the theme of Sandu’s opener. The narrative follows the journey of an eight-year-old girl named Katya, whose summer vacation with her grandparents is disrupted by the outbreak of war in Chechnya.

Gaia Furrer, the festival’s Artistic Director, noted the prevailing themes in the selected films. She emphasized the focus on life navigation, relationships, and the struggle to reconcile with grief. The gauntlet of human experiences, hardships, and resilience encapsulated in these films seeks to bridge the exilic divide and portray the world as surmountable.

A debut feature film from Spanish director Gabriel Azorín, titled ‘Last Night I Conquered the City of Thebes’, has also found its spot in the Venice Days competition. The film skillfully traverses different eras, infusing a modern narrative with the ancient Roman backdrop. The storyline follows two young war returnees, António and Jota, as they embark on a search for a mythical Roman thermal bath, alleged to hold mystical properties.

Zurich-born Kenyan director Damien Hauser’s ‘Memory of Princess Mumbi’ is also in the running. The film, set in the speculative world of 2093 in a reimagined Africa, offers a dystopian narrative. The protagonist is a young filmmaker who journeys to document a global conflict that escalated two decades prior, further enriching the diversity of themes explored at the festival.

Two Iranian films have made their way into the prestigious roster of participants. ‘Past Future Continuous’, a documentary by Firouzeh Khosrovani and Morteza Ahmadvand, tells the story of a woman who, after fleeing post-revolution Iran, observes her family through the lens of home security cameras in Tehran. Amir Azizi brings to life a tribute to Tehran and navigates the uncertainties of leaving home in ‘Inside Amir’.

Noteworthy amongst them is ‘La Gioia’, directed by Italian filmmaker Nicolangelo Gelormini and starring Valeria Golino and Jasmine Trinca. Gelormini’s second feature film, ‘La Gioia’ is a true account of a passionate and volatile love affair between a student and a teacher. Exemplifying the diversity of the selection, the title ‘La Gioia’ refers to ‘Joy’ in Italian.

Presiding over the jury is Norwegian director Dag Johan Haugerud. Known for his thought-provoking and intense direction, Haugerud’s presence as jury head elevates the standards, ensuring a fair assessment against some of the most promising, diverse, and resonant films from across the globe.

In addition to its competition line-up, the festival showcases exceptional work outside the competition as well. Worth mentioning is the contribution by acclaimed French documentary director Claire Simon, ‘In Writing Life’. The film paints a vivid portrait of Annie Ernaux, the lauded Nobel Prize-winning novelist, through the unique lens of French high school students reading her works.

The 22nd edition of Venice Days will run from August 27 to September 6, in coordination with the official Venice Film Festival. This year’s event promises a vivid tapestry of cultural expressions, stories, and perspectives from across the globe, making it a must-see for global cinema enthusiasts.

The inclusion of films from war-torn and conflict-ridden regions brings nuance and breadth to the festival, reflecting the broader socio-political context of the world. Through its selection, the festival amplifies voices that may have otherwise been lost in the noise, providing a platform for understanding and empathy.

Balancing honest examinations of life’s intricacies with transformative storytelling, the festival is bound to provoke thought and conversation among its audience. Each narrative, whether a poetic ode to a city or an introspective exploration of personal relationships, grapples with complex themes that touch the core of human experience.

In anticipation of the festival, international audiences await a showcase of films that traverse epochs, cultures, and political landscapes. Venice Days remains a testament to the power of cinema in illuminating underrepresented stories, encouraging cultural exchange, and fostering a global dialogue about life, love, loss, and, above all, resilience.

Thus, Venice Days, with its diverse and global selection, stands ready to captivate audiences. As these unfiltered narratives unfurl on the screen, they promise to touch hearts, stimulate minds, and reaffirm the universal pursuit of the human spirit, making this festival a unique and inspiring film event in the global calendar.