Italia. Il fuoco, la cenere

A documented, lyrical and visionary journey into a universe that is too often unknown: the origins of Italian silent cinema. A dazzling art and industry, which has made the first international stars shine, given birth to peplum, melò and adventurous films, and launched the first filmmakers. In its world of romantic glories and delusions, between Verdi’s symbolism and D’Annunzio’s decadentism, this cinema has enjoyed international fame, fascinating crowds, intellectuals and
artists from all over Europe, up to the United States and South America. Told through exceptional archive images – many of which are unpublished – and by the voice of Isabella Rossellini, the film brings back an era of splendor and the history of a country, which will soon fall into the abyss of fascism. An art dedicated to the sublime, refinement and death, from whose ashes will be reborn one of the greatest cinemas in the world.