On 31 March, in Calabria, preview screening of the docufilm Cercando Itaca, directed by Sergio Basso. The screenplay was written by Basso himself together with Filippo Ascione. Cinematography is by Maura Morales Bergmann CCS, while editing is by Davide Vizzini. The film is produced by Pega Production.
The cast includes actors such as Eugenio Mastrandrea, Giulia Petrungaro, Giorgio Colangeli, Daphne Scoccia, Francesca Della Ragione, Lena Sebasti, Margherita Coldesina Pola, Silvana Luppino, Anna Maria De Luca, and Francesca Tiziana Russo.
The film follows the journey of an eighteen-year-old, Arianna, who finds herself guiding a lost Odysseus. Along their path, we explore Calabria’s historical and artistic heritage, visiting places such as Pentedattilo, Riace, Capo Vaticano, the abyssal beach of Punta Pezzo and Cannitello, Scylla and Charybdis, the Aspromonte mountains, Crotone, the Temple of Hera Lacinia at Capo Colonna, Palmi, Melicuccà, and Reggio Calabria. In the latter, special attention is given to the city’s museums—first and foremost the Archaeological Museum—and to the bergamot groves, which have earned Reggio the UNESCO designation “City of Bergamot”.
Through interviews with scientific experts, Cercando Itaca offers an overview of Calabria’s millennia-old and vibrant port and trade activities, highlighting the unparalleled beauty of this Italian region.
CINEMATOGRAPHY NOTE BY MAURA MORALES BERGMANN
The film presents an original and profound reinterpretation of the myth of Odysseus and his eternal search for home, happiness, and the deeper meaning of existence. It is a symbolic journey back to one’s roots: a prophetic dream brings the protagonist, after moving to Germany, back to her homeland, Calabria, where guiding Odysseus—symbol of searching and uncertainty—will accompany her in rediscovering the wonders her land has to offer.
We filmed “Germany” in Calabria, giving it a colder look, while all the Calabrian scenes—an homage to nature and culture—are warm and enveloping. Filming in Riace was wonderful, where Mimmo Lucano created a beautiful community of migrants, and also on the beaches of Palmi. But for me, above all, it was a joy to shoot underwater—my greatest passion!
Shot like a documentary, using natural and soft lighting, with a small crew and an ARRI Alexa Mini paired with REC’s Hawke V-Lite anamorphic lenses. Underwater operator: Maura Morales Bergmann; Steadicam operator: Marco Vignoni; 1st assistant camera: Elena Chiappa; 2nd assistant camera: Pietro Sacco; data manager: Jonathan Elia.
