Disco Boy, a debut work from Giacomo Abbruzzese and the only Italian film selected for competition at the 73th International Film Festival of Berlin, has won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution.
Co-produced by Italy’s Dugong Films, the film is a French/Italian/Belgian/Polish co-production. It was financed by the DGCA with a contribution of €140,000 (€50,000 from the CNC) through the Italy – France 2020 agreement.
Shot in Europe and Africa, the international cast includes Franz Rogowski, newcomer Morr Ndiaye, activist artist Laëtitia Ky and Matteo Olivetti. The soundtrack was composed by electronic musician Vitalic.
Disco Boy tackles the subject of war by going beyond the canons of the genre, to examine the feelings and trauma that persist in the unconscious. The film tells the story of Aleksei, a young Belarusian trying to clandestinely enter France. There, the only way for him to get papers is to join the French Foreign Legion. This is how he ends up fighting in the Niger Delta where another young man, Jomo is battling the petrochemical giants devastating his village. His sister, Udoka, dreams of escape, aware that everything has already been lost. Their destinies intertwine, beyond borders, beyond life and death.
Distributed by Lucky Red, the film will be released in theatres on Thursday 9 March.