The WE GIL building, in the Roman quarter of Trastevere, was the headquarters for the Gioventù Italiana del Littorio (GIL) – Italian Youth of the Lictor - in the 1930s. The building was originally intended to host services of various types from meeting rooms to after work clubs and social, sporting and recreational activities. The architect, Moretti, decided to use Rationalist forms, alternating linear blocks with softer shapes, especially in the interior where there are no real divisions between the various spaces and natural light, coming from the large windows and gables, dominates the space.
The complex comprises three different buildings, different in shape, size and function: the quadrangle facing the pre-existing building on viale Trastevere has an indoor swimming pool, refectory, halls and a cinema theatre with a courtyard at the centre; the central block, tall and long, is positioned perpendicularly to the others with the façade curved towards via Ascianghi and houses the three gyms, while the official building complex which culminates in a tower with large glass windows, has an official drawing room, exhibition area, library and meeting room.
The building was abandoned after the war, only in 1952 was the theatre transformed into a cinema and rented for 29 years to private entities. It was bought by the Regione Lazio and the Comune di Roma in the 1980s and restored between 2005 to 2007. It reopened in 2017 with the name WE GIL to host exhibitions, performances and cultural events. Following restoration of the building, the basement floor was reserved for the Scuola d’arte cinematografica Gian Maria Volontè.
Roma Lazio Film Commission
Via Parigi 11 – 00185, Roma
Phone: +39 06 72286273/320
Fax: +39 06 722 1127
Email: info@romalaziofilmcommission.it
