Deep Dive: Sacro GRA (2013)
Film Lens

Sacro GRA is a documentary that captures everyday life along the Grande Raccordo Anulare, the ring-road highway encircling Rome. Directed by Gianfranco Rosi, the film was shot over two years, with an additional eight months dedicated to editing. The narrative draws inspiration from Italo Calvino's novel Invisible Cities, reflecting on the various lives and stories that unfold in this unique urban landscape.
The film had its world premiere at the 70th Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2013, where it won the Golden Lion, marking a significant achievement as the first documentary to win the festival's top prize. It was released theatrically in Italy on September 19, 2013, by Officine UBU, further establishing its presence in the documentary film circuit.
Why Watch
- •See life along Rome's Grande Raccordo Anulare
- •Meet diverse characters living near the highway
- •Find out why it won the Golden Lion at Venice
Did You Know
•Sacro GRA premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2013.
•The film won the Golden Lion, the first documentary to achieve this at the festival.
•It took Gianfranco Rosi over two years to film the documentary.
•The film editing process lasted eight months.
•Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a 77% approval rating based on 22 reviews.
Perfect For
Italian cinema fansDocumentary enthusiastsUrban studies scholars