He conquered the audience, with his kindness and his words: «Being here is a great satisfaction: presenting my film in Nuoro, in my land, for the first time in Italy. I didn't dream of Rome or Milan, I really wanted this place which has a special flavor for me». Yes, because for Maria Elorza the bond with the Island is indissoluble. And although the references to Spain are evident on the documents, the director waves her sardity with pride . Mother of Samugheo and a direct line to an island that is always present in her heart and often in her works. That's why the eighth edition of IsReal gave an effective start, with “ A los libros ya las mujeres canto ”.
Island in the heart
The young Iberian director has catalysed applause and acclaim. It is no coincidence that the well-tested Barbagian festival has decided to open the 2023 edition with its film. « Sardinia is very important to me, it's my second home », she says: «I find so many inspirations, I try to come back very often. My mother, a part of my family, was born in Samugheo. In all my works the Island recurs with a certain continuity. In the film presented in Nuoro, for example, there are some images that were shot right here and even a pinch of "Sardinian song"». Elorza continues and reveals: « I really hope, one day, to make a film entirely in the Sardinian language. It is one of my goals ». Meanwhile, with his latest work he conquered the auditorium of the Ethnographic museum, named after Giovanni Lilliu. Between thunderous applause and approval.
The documentary
"A los libros ya las mujeres canto" is a work that comes from Spain but which exudes Sardinianness. It is a passionate and free homage to women , to the revolutionary gesture of reading, which enters the intimate space of home libraries. The title paraphrases the first verse of the Aeneid : "To arms and men I sing". Maria Elorza points out: «In this case, however, it becomes: "I sing to books and women". Here the protagonists are women , in the lead Tonina Deias, the director's Samughese mother. Survived the "literary avalanche" that characterizes the film, as well as the leitmotif of the story. She and Maria speak in their parent's native language to record the “off screen” audio. An effective way to underline the importance of the voice and oral narration, but also for the undisputed musicality that the Italian language has. The rest of the cast is made up of three friends of Tonina Deias and Maria Elorza's sister, Anne (present in Nuoro).
Until June 11, Sardinia becomes a pole of attraction for filmmakers and documentarists. The president of ISRE, Stefano Lavra: «We are opening up to the island and to the world».