Following the successful preview at the Tavolara Pavilion in Sassari—featuring the concert "Soundtrack Variations" by Mario Mariani, the photography exhibition "Venti di Pensieri e Parole," and the intense project "Songs from Supercarcere"—the festival will, as usual, arrive in Fornelli, in the Asinara National Park, from August 23rd to 24th, with two days packed with meetings, screenings, and music. There is great anticipation for the two female protagonists of this 20th edition: Laura Muccino, winner of the Nastro d'Argento for her work in the film "Il tempo che ci vuole" by Francesca Comencini, who will be a guest at the screening scheduled for Friday, August 23rd, and Celeste Dalla Porta, star of Paolo Sorrentino's new film "Parthenope," who will receive the "Isole del Cinema" Award during the closing evening on Saturday, August 24th.
The festival opens on Friday, August 23rd at 6:00 PM with the inauguration of the exhibition "Twenty Thoughts and Words," curated by Silvia Borghetto and featuring original illustrations by Giorgio Donini, which traces the festival's twenty editions. This will be followed by book talks: art historian Giovanna Di Marco will present her "Museo di sabbia" (Museum of Sand), in conversation with Aesthetics professor and writer Alessandro Cadoni (6:30 PM); magistrate Gianni Caria will present his play "Rosario va in pensione," introduced by literary critic Massimo Onofri (7:00 PM); and writer, magistrate, and screenwriter Giancarlo De Cataldo will present his new thriller "Un cadavere in cucina" (A Corpse in the Kitchen), also in conversation with Alessandro Cadoni (7:30 PM). There will also be a moment dedicated to the environment and music with "Climabolario: Words and Music from the Climate Crisis," a reading-concert by Sante Maurizi with Daniela Cossiga, Simone Sassu, Matteo Anelli, Gabriele Cau, and Lorenzo Sabattini. The evening will close at 9:30 pm with a screening of Francesca Comencini's "Il tempo che ci vuole," accompanied by Laura Muccino, who will share her behind-the-scenes work on the film.
On Saturday, August 24, the festival will continue at 6:30 pm with the concert "Asinaria" by Bandito (Antonio Meleddu), followed by a reflection on Salvatore Mannuzzu's Apnea. Scritti sul cinema, with contributions from Alessandro Cadoni, Sante Maurizi, and Lucia Angelica Salaris. The next event (at 7:30 pm) will once again feature Vittorio Gazale, director of the Asinara Island Park, this time in conversation with Nando Dalla Chiesa about the book Nell'interesse dello Stato (Solferino). Journalist and writer Antonio Pascale will then present Cose umane (Einaudi) in conversation with Massimo Onofri (at 8 pm). The final evening will be dedicated to music and cinema: first, the concert "Mamma mia dammi cento lire," a repertoire that tells the stories of emigration, followed by a screening of Paolo Sorrentino's Parthenope (9:30 pm), introduced by star Celeste Dalla Porta, who will receive the "Isole del Cinema" Award in recognition of her talent and artistic promise. This year, the audience will again be invited to participate in the "ideal library" game: everyone can bring a copy of their favorite book to donate to the Asinara Library, accompanied by a dedication explaining the reason for their choice. A simple yet precious gesture, capable of answering the question that gives meaning to the initiative: "What book would you take to a desert island?"
