By Beverly Andrews
There was a time — throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and even the early 2000s — when watching foreign-language cinema was not only fashionable but also remarkably accessible. Sadly, despite the abundance of streaming platforms today, opportunities to watch international films have actually diminished rather than expanded, with perhaps the exception of Netflix. All of which makes the upcoming Cinecittà 4th Annual Italian Documentary Season at London’s Bertha DocHouse all the more enticing. The festival offers London audiences a rare chance to experience the work of some of Italy’s most acclaimed documentary filmmakers.
A standout of the season is the epic Beastiari, Erbari, Lapidari (Bestiaries, Herbaria, Lapidaries), directed by Massimo d’Anolfi and Martina Parenti, with a runtime of 206 minutes. This ambitious documentary is unlike anything most viewers will have encountered. It explores humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world — from animals to plants to minerals — employing three distinct yet interconnected narrative techniques. At a time when the world faces record-breaking temperatures and a growing environmental crisis, this visually striking film serves as a timely reminder of the fragility of our planet and the urgent need to protect and cherish the natural world.
Gen_ is a 2025 documentary directed by Gianluca Matarrese that explores the complexities of transgender healthcare, including medical transition and the widespread discrimination faced by transgender communities. The film follows several months in the life of Dr. Bini, a fertility and hormone specialist committed to supporting trans individuals, even as they face growing social and political hostility.
And finally, my personal favourite — and also its UK premiere — The Castle, directed by Danny Biancardi, Stefano La Rosa, and Virginia Nardelli (Italy/France). This observational documentary follows four 11-year-olds living in a struggling neighbourhood of Palermo. The children stumble upon an abandoned kindergarten — a place many locals avoid, believing it to be haunted. Undeterred, the children transform one of its derelict rooms into their own secret hideaway.
This hidden space becomes a refuge where they can escape the watchful eyes of adults, share their fears, and let their imaginations run free — all without fear of judgment.
Curated and produced by Cinecittà, the upcoming season is a true delight for anyone with a passion for Italian cinema. The Italian Documentary Festival will run from July 5th to 6th at Bertha DocHouse, Curzon Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AW.
