Italian director Tommaso Usberti’s debut feature “Before the War” has claimed the grand prize at Venice Critics’ Week, along with the best producer award. The film, a romance examining themes of racism and toxic masculinity, stands as the sole Italian submission in the festival’s section dedicated to first-time filmmakers from around the world.
The narrative follows Guido, a young man from Northern Italy whose upbringing in a racist, masculine-dominated environment shapes his identity through violence. His perspective begins to shift when he develops feelings for Sonia, a Kosovar immigrant, creating internal conflict between his past and the possibilities she represents. The production features Piero Usberti in the lead role alongside Luana Bajrami.
The jury commended the film for its distinctive directorial approach, particularly highlighting the powerful performance of its lead actor and the striking visual composition. They noted how “Before the War” uses silence, sound, and music as integral storytelling elements to address contemporary issues including masculinity, desire, and isolation. Reviewers described the work as both classically cinematic and innovative, demonstrating a distinctive creative voice.
Additional prizes at the Critics’ Week included the audience award for “Our Share of Sand,” a debut feature by director Shalini Adnani, and recognition for the experimental hybrid work “The End of Times,” which employs artificial intelligence to examine colonialism and capitalism in Colombian history.
Originally reported by Variety →
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