Minerva Pictures is proud to announce that Un Natale a casa Croce, the latest documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker Pupi Avati, will be showcased out of competition at the Turin Film Festival, now in its 42nd edition under Giulio Base’s direction.

The life of Benedetto Croce, Italian philosopher and senator, unfolds as an epic tale of survival and passion, marked by intense tragedies and rivalries from his youth. The documentary, directed by Avati and produced by Minerva Pictures in collaboration with Cinecittà Luce and Rai Documentari, delves into Croce’s political influence, intellectual brilliance, commitment to freedom, and philosophical vision.

The story begins in 1883 when a devastating earthquake in Ischia claims his parents and sister, leaving Croce to rise from tragedy with unyielding strength. His devotion to philosophy and literature serves as a bastion against loneliness and depression, transforming his pain into resolve. One defining episode of his life, which sheds light on him as a person, was his friendship with Giovanni Gentile, another intellectual of the era. Their relationship began in 1896 but fractured by the late 1920s due to opposing stances on fascism. Although Croce initially sympathized with the regime, he ultimately distanced himself, while Gentile became a fervent supporter.

During WWII, as Italy was torn apart and Florence came under Mussolini’s control, Gentile was assassinated on April 15, 1944, in front of his villa. This news reached Croce, striking him deeply, despite years of silence between the two. The event led him to ponder the absurdity of violence affecting even intellectuals. Amid Italy’s political turmoil, Croce joined the national unity government but faced harsh criticism from Palmiro Togliatti, a Communist Party leader, which created a rift among young antifascists. Through these turbulent times, Croce’s life became intertwined with Italy’s political landscape, embodying the ideological conflicts of his era. The film captures this compelling journey of a man who braved destiny, tragedies, and rivalries, emerging as a beacon of wisdom in a tumultuous period.

With Paolo Spezzaferri, Teresa Cerciello, Chiara Barassi, Roberta Geremicca, Fenicia Rocco, Sabrina Bevilacqua, and featuring Benedetta Craveri.

Join us on Tuesday, November 26, at 9:00 p.m. for the official screening, attended by director Pupi Avati, in a festival setting that continues to celebrate cinematic experimentation and research.