The documentary 'Italianesi,' directed by Saverio La Ruina, has clinched an award at the 22nd Tirana Film Festival in the Panorama Reflecting Albania category. The film premiered on September 24, 2024, at the Agimi Art Center in Tirana, attended by La Ruina, Alessandro Ruggera, the director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Tirana, and representatives from the Calabria Film Commission.
'Italianesi,' produced by Scena Verticale with support from the Calabria Film Commission, delves into a lesser-known chapter of Italian history through personal testimonies. The documentary draws inspiration from La Ruina's theatrical work from 2011, which earned him the Ubu Award for Best Actor in 2012 and a nomination for Best New Italian Text.
La Ruina expressed his joy over the award, emphasizing the importance of shedding light on the overlooked experiences of thousands of Italians until 1955. He reflected on a comment from an Albanian filmmaker, noting that examining the plight of these Italians during that era offers Albanians a fresh perspective on their own history during the dictatorship.