by InTrieste
The Trieste Film Festival returns for its 36th edition from January 16 to 24, offering a bold lineup of films that delve into the complexities of family, collective memory, and identity. Known for its focus on Central and Eastern European cinema, this year’s festival takes on themes that resonate deeply in today’s shifting social and political landscape.
A Spotlight on Family and the 1990s
Family serves as a central motif in many of this year’s selections, though not in its traditional form. “Dysfunctional bonds, fluid relationships, and difficult dynamics emerge in film after film,” said Nicoletta Romeo, the festival’s artistic director. “Yet family remains one of the few surviving institutions, even in the most challenging societies.”
The Wild Roses section highlights films by young Serbian directors, who turn their lenses to the 1990s—a decade marked by the Balkan wars. These filmmakers grapple with the past to reconstruct a collective memory, offering reflections that are both deeply personal and historically resonant.
A Dual Opening
The festival’s dual inauguration begins on January 16 at Teatro Miela with Wishing on a Star by Peter Kerekes, a comedic exploration of a Neapolitan astrologer’s unconventional advice to clients. On January 20, Politeama Rossetti will host the Italian premiere of Matthias Glasner’s The Score of Life.
War, Identity, and LGBTQ+ Rights
Global tensions come into sharp focus with Sergei Loznitsa’s The Invasion, which documents Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. Making its Italian premiere, the film underscores the ongoing struggles at Europe’s borders.
A new addition to the festival, the Visioni Queer section, curated by Giuseppe Gariazzo, examines the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. This segment amplifies voices fighting for recognition and rights in regions where equality remains elusive.
A Bridge Between East and West
Taking place across Politeama Rossetti, Teatro Miela, and Cinema Ambasciatori, the Trieste Film Festival continues to serve as a cultural bridge between East and West. With its thought-provoking films and timely themes, the festival reaffirms its role as a vital platform for storytelling that challenges, enlightens, and connects audiences.
For more information, visit https://triestefilmfestival.it/
Interview: Nicoletta Romeo, director of the Trieste Film Festival
