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BALENTES

Inspired by a true story, the film tells the courageous choice of two boys who, in Sardinia in 1940, on the eve of the Second World War, free a herd of horses destined for the front. An idealistic and rebellious gesture that becomes a symbol of freedom and resistance.

First animated film. The drawings were made on paper and with a brush by the director himself, with the aim of restoring uniqueness and freedom to the primary and constitutive element of the drawing, namely the sign, otherwise destined to conform to pre-established models. After the initial research lasting around two years, the work was supported by several collaborators who were asked to cut out particular masks to be positioned along the profiles of the drawings. This allowed the author to generate, even in the animation processes, a sort of "iconic paradox" given by very rapid, impulsive and gestural signs, which nevertheless find a perfect conclusion on the previously defined profiles.

  • GIOVANNI COLUMBU
    Director
  • GIOVANNI COLUMBU
    Writer
  • DANIELE MAGGIONI
    Producer
  • GIOVANNI COLUMBU
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Feature, Student, Television
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 9 minutes 33 seconds
  • Production Budget:
    800 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Italy
  • Country of Filming:
    Italy
  • Language:
    Italian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • ALICE NELLA CITTA'
    Roma
    Italy
    October 17, 2024
    Word Premiere
    Out of competition
  • INTERNATION FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM
    Rotterdam
    Netherlands
    February 5, 2025
    International Premiere
  • NIIGATA INTERNAZIONAL ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL
    Niigata
    Japan
    March 16, 2025
    EVOLVE AWARD
Distribution Information
  • MyCULTURE
    Distributor
    Country: Italy
Director Biography - GIOVANNI COLUMBU

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Columbu
Giovanni Columbu, nato a Nuoro il 19 ottobre 1949, artista e regista.
Lungometraggi
Arcipelaghi (2001)
Su Re (2012)
Surbiles (2017)
Balentes (2024)

Mostre d'arte
Immagine Arma Impropria - Casa del Mantegna di Mantova (1978)
Immagini Sonore - Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Cagliari (1981)
Disobedience Archive - Castello di Rivoli di Torino /2013)
Armamentari - Spazio Mudima di Milano (2013)
Appunti e Disegni per Su Re - Centro San Fedele di Milano (2015)
L’Immagine come Controinformazione - PAN Palazzo delle Arti di Napoli (2015)
Il Di/segno del Cinema - Palazzo di Città di Cagliari (2015)
Arte come profezia - Galleria Crobu di Cagliari (2016)
Paesaggio Arcaico con Figure - Galleria PMA di Cagliari (2016)
Disegni Costruttivi - Pinacoteca Comunale di Oristano (2017)

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Director Statement

Works of culture and art including cinema bear witness to the universality of human vicissitudes and contribute to peace.