by InTrieste
As the sun sets on a balmy August evening, the serene gardens of the Giardino Pubblico Muzio de Tommasini come alive with the gentle hum of filmgoers. For weeks, Trieste’s historic public garden has played host to a unique cinematic experience: the Giardino del Cinema, a summer open-air festival that transforms this tranquil park into a vibrant arena for cinephiles. But now, as the festival approaches its final days, it is set to go out with a glittering showcase of films that bridge genres, cultures, and decades.
On August 30th, the festival will screen Priscilla, a 2023 biographical drama from Sofia Coppola. The film, which earned Cailee Spaeny the coveted Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival, offers a fresh, intimate perspective on the relationship between Priscilla Beaulieu and Elvis Presley, as seen through the eyes of the young woman swept up in the orbit of one of the 20th century’s most iconic figures. Presented in its original English with Italian subtitles, Priscillapromises to be an emotional rollercoaster that explores the complexities of fame, love, and loneliness. Tickets are priced at €3.50 as part of the festival’s “Cinema Revolution” promotion.
The following evening, August 31st, film lovers will be treated to The Holdovers – Life Lessons, the latest offering from acclaimed American director Alexander Payne. Featuring a stunning performance by Paul Giamatti, this 2023 film explores the unexpected bond that forms between a grumpy professor and a troubled student at a New England boarding school over the Christmas holidays of 1970. Payne’s gentle yet impactful storytelling has already won praise for its ability to transform the mundane into something deeply moving.
On September 1st, the festival will take a surreal turn with Alien Island (2023), a Chilean-Italian documentary directed by Cristóbal Valenzuela Berríos. The film delves into one of the most bizarre UFO stories of the 1980s: the alleged communications between Chilean radio operators and extraterrestrial beings from the mysterious “Island of Friendship.” The screening will feature an introduction by producer Sarah Pennacchi, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of this captivating exploration of truth and myth. As with the other European films, Alien Island will be shown as part of the “Cinema Revolution” series, with tickets priced at €3.50.
A major highlight of the festival will be September 2nd, when the I Mille Occhi – International Festival of Cinema and Arts presents Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion. The 1970 Italian classic, directed by Elio Petri and featuring a haunting score by Ennio Morricone, won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and is considered one of the great masterpieces of political cinema. The newly restored version, presented by the Bologna Film Archive, will bring this Kafkaesque tale of power, guilt, and impunity back to the big screen.
In a nod to French-Italian collaboration, September 4th will see the premiere of Marcello Mio (2024), an homage to legendary actor Marcello Mastroianni, directed by Christophe Honoré. The film stars Chiara Mastroianni—daughter of Mastroianni and Catherine Deneuve—who embarks on a personal journey to resurrect her father’s spirit through her own body and identity. Presented in collaboration with the Alliance Française Trieste, the screening marks the centenary of Mastroianni’s birth, ensuring the legendary star remains as alive in memory as ever.
The summer festival will continue into September with a slate of powerful films, including Ken Loach’s The Old Oak(2023) on September 6th and Kevin Costner’s ambitious epic, Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (2024), closing the festival on September 7th. Costner’s return to the director’s chair for the first time in over two decades promises to be a highlight of the cinematic year, exploring America’s Civil War era through a sweeping, multifaceted lens.
In a city steeped in culture, the Giardino del Cinema is more than just a summer pastime—it’s a reminder of the enduring power of film to bring people together, transcending borders and languages. As festival organizer Daniele Terzoli notes, “These last days are a celebration of what cinema does best: telling stories that connect us, no matter where we come from.” With tickets priced affordably between €3.50 and €6.50, the event remains one of the city’s most accessible cultural highlights.
