by InTrieste
In Trieste, a new film adaptation of Un anno di scuola (A Year of School) by Giani Stuparich is currently in production, spearheaded by Italian director Laura Samani. Known for her critically acclaimed debut film Piccolo Corpo, which premiered at Cannes, Samani brings her second feature to life with support from major European production houses, including Nefertiti Film and France’s ARTE Cinema, in collaboration with Rai Cinema.
The film reimagines Stuparich’s early 20th-century novel for 2007, a pivotal year when Slovenia joined the Schengen Zone, transforming cross-border life in Trieste. Following a young Swedish girl, Fred, as she navigates her senior year as the sole female student in an all-boys class, the story unfolds against the scenic yet dynamic Trieste, with its unique blend of Italian and Slavic influences.
A School Embraces the Film Industry
In a groundbreaking partnership, the I.S.I.S. Nautico “Tomaso di Savoia Duca di Genova–L. Galvani” in Trieste serves as the film’s primary setting. This collaboration is part of a pioneering initiative by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commission, which connected the film’s production team with the school’s student body. Through the PCTO program—Transversal Skills and Orientation Pathways—students have engaged directly with the film industry, taking on roles in production, set design, and casting, with two recent alumni acting as liaisons between the production crew and the school.
“This project connects students with the professional world of cinema, offering invaluable hands-on experience,” said Francesco Fazari, the head of the institute. “It’s been an enriching journey for everyone involved.”
A City on Film
From Barcola beach’s “Topolini” area to the historic Ausonia bathing establishment, Trieste and its surroundings are pivotal backdrops, not merely settings but thematic counterpoints to the film’s adolescent characters. Samani explains, “We wanted to showcase a more hidden, underground side of Trieste, capturing its music, language, and youth culture of that era.” The movie, while grounded in Italian, features dialogues in multiple languages, including Triestino, English, Swedish, and Slovenian, reflecting the city’s multicultural atmosphere.
Bringing an Untold Story to Screen
Samani and her team began developing Un anno di scuola in 2021, working alongside co-writer Elisa Dondi to craft a story that captures the complexity of adolescence. “We are revisiting a time that was crucial to Trieste’s transformation,” Samani remarked, noting that 2007 marked the dawn of social media and a new era of European openness for the city.
The film, which will be distributed in Italy by Lucky Red and internationally by Rai Cinema, is set to wrap up filming by November 9, 2024, and involves a dedicated team of regional filmmakers and local resources. This collaboration with local entities not only strengthens the regional film industry but also serves as an example of how film production can integrate seamlessly with educational institutions, building a bridge between academic life and career opportunities for young Italians.
The Friuli Venezia Giulia Film Commission praised the initiative as a “model of virtuous interaction,” recognizing the project’s potential to expand Trieste’s role as a hub for audiovisual education and regional filmmaking.
