Venice Film Festival awards Golden Lion to Gianfranco Rosi's Roman tale, 'Sacro GRA'

Grande Raccordo Anulare

History was made at this year's Venice Film Festival as the jury, led by Director Bernardo Bertolucci, awarded the prestigious Golden Lion Award to Gianfranco Rosi for his documentary "Sacro GRA." This marks the first time in the festival's history that a documentary has taken the top honor.

"Sacro GRA" explores the lives of several individuals affected by the Grande Raccordo Anulare (GRA), a 42-mile highway encircling Rome. The film's subjects include a young paramedic, an elderly man living with his daughter, a family dealing with their son's DJ obsession, a botanist studying parasitic palms, a disgruntled fisherman, and an aristocrat renting his mansion to film crews. Despite their diverse backgrounds, the GRA serves as a common thread connecting their stories.

The documentary has sparked curiosity and debate, with some critics noting its lack of a clear plot or definitive point of view. However, it resonated strongly with Italian audiences, premiering in Venice to wild applause and standing ovations. The film's appeal may lie in its metaphorical nature, akin to an inside joke understood primarily by Italians, particularly Romans, who experience the GRA's challenges daily.

Bertolucci's understanding of the film's message may have influenced its success at the festival. The documentary's mysterious presentation, with unresolved conflicts and an aloof portrayal of characters, adds to its allure and may have contributed to its victory in Venice.

Click here to visit the film's website. Click here to watch the trailer.

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