Lord of the Ants

Il Signore Delle Formiche

63rd TIFF: Greek Premiere

Based on Italy’s late 60s true events, Italian poet, playwright, and director Aldo Braibanti is prosecuted and sentenced to prison for the love he shares with his barely-of-age pupil and friend, Ettore. Amidst a chorus of voices of accusers, supporters, and a largely hypocritical public, a single committed journalist takes on the task of piecing together the truth, between secrecy and desire, facing suspicion and censorship in the process. In the words of the director, this is “[a] film about violence and the obtuseness of prejudice. About love subjected to conformism and hypocrisy. A cross-section of Italian provincial life in the pivotal sixties, when economic wellbeing did not grow at the same pace as awareness about things. As emotional openness. The family is a closed space where intergenerational disagreements remain heated and conflictual... The film aims to instill the courage to rebel.”

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.


Direction: Gianni Amelio
Script: Gianni Amelio, Edoardo Petti, Federico Fava
Cinematography: Luan Amelio Ujkaj
Editing: Simona Paggi
Sound: Emanuele Cicconi
Actors: Luigi Lo Cascio, Elio Germano, Sara Serraiocco, Leonardo Maltese
Production: Kavac Film s.r.l, IBC MOVIE SRL, Tenderstories srl, Rai Cinema spa
Producers: Simone Gattoni, Beppe Caschetto
Costumes: Valentina Monticelli
Production Design: Marta Maffucci
Make Up: Esmè Sciaroni
Format: DCP
Color: Color
Production Country: Italy
Production Year: 2022
Duration: 134΄
Distribution in Greece: Ama Films
Contact: The Match Factory
Awards/Distinctions: Brian Award & La Pellicola d’Oro Award for Best Production Manager (Barbara Busso) & La Pellicola d’Oro Award for Best Camera Operator (Leonardo Maltese) & RB Casting Award – Venice Film Festival 2022

Gianni Amelio

Gianni Amelio was born in Calabria, Italy. After studying philosophy, he moved to Rome, where he began working as an assistant director. He made his film directing debut in 1982, after a long career in television. He is the winner of numerous international awards, including three EFA awards for best European film.

Filmography

1982 Blow to the Heart
1990 Open Doors
1994 Lamerica
1998 The Way We Laughed
2004 The Keys to the House
2006 The Missing Star
2013 Intrepido: A Lonely Hero
2017 Tenerezza – Holding Hands
2020 Hammamet
2022 Lord of the Ants