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Deep Dive: Notturno (2020)

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Notturno
Notturno is a documentary directed by Gianfranco Rosi, filmed over three years from 2017 to 2019. It portrays the lives of people in war-torn regions of the Middle East, specifically Syria, Iraq, Kurdistan, and Lebanon. The film captures various individuals as they attempt to rebuild their lives amidst the ongoing conflict, showcasing scenes of female soldiers, a duck hunter, and children expressing their trauma through art. The documentary features moving moments, such as a mother listening to messages from her kidnapped daughter and a veiled Kurdish mother visiting her son's jail cell. These narratives provide a stark view of the human cost of war, emphasizing the daily realities faced by those living in the shadow of violence and destruction.

Why Watch

  • •See female soldiers guarding empty buildings in Iraq.
  • •Find out how children cope with war through art therapy.
  • •Meet a duck hunter navigating conflict in Syria.

Did You Know

•Notturno premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on 8 September 2020.
•The film was selected as Italy's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards.
•It was released in Italy on 9 September 2020 by 01 Distribution.
•Notturno holds an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 66 reviews.

Perfect For

Middle Eastern conflictDocumentary enthusiastsHuman rights issues