There was great interest in Francesca Comencini, so much to that part of the hall was filled well in advance of the start of the meeting. A  young audience came to listen to the film director and writer, the special correspondent for the opening of the seventh Cortisonici Festival.

Mauro Gervasini presented Ms Comencini, explaining some aspects of her professional life including the attention she gives to regions and towns, always with an original perspective.

The film director started speaking about her films by explaining the reasons for Our Country. “This film is a choral piece, that came from observing the exchange of money. It’s a tough film, that begins with the indignation about what’s happening in Italy. It was made a few years ago, but it’s still very topical. I managed to bring things in, almost stealing footage taken before the actual filming.”

Gervasini then spoke about a different approach to casting, which allowed discovering new talent, such as Luca Argentero. “He struck me immediately, and I asked him why someone like him had decided to take part in Big Brother. He was ideal for my main character. Another discovery in the film was Laura Chiatti.”
 

Her experience as a jury member for the Berlin Festival was also interesting. “Cinema can be poetry, a statement, commitment and fun. It’s not good if it ends.”