Carne et Ossa, a film inspired by the Corsa degli Zingari in Pacentro, is available on RaiPlay from November 4. The 2023 production was made by a team led by director Roberto Zazzara and Ifa Produzione Cinematografica, based in Pescara and directed by Cristiano Di Felice.
The annual event takes place on the first Sunday of September in Pacentro, in the Maiella National Park. Participants run down a steep rocky slope to a stream, then climb back up. The race is described as an ancestral ritual whose origins are unknown and whose meaning is tied to the relationship between people and nature.
The film received the Cervino Cinemountain Best Movie award in the Italian Mountains category, as well as other international recognition in France, Spain, Georgia and England. It was distributed in Italian cinemas by Mescalito Film, and Mymovies.it and Comingsoon.it each gave it four out of five stars.
Zazzara said the film’s RaiPlay release was a source of joy for him and the wider team, describing it as recognition for a project rooted in its territory and its values. Di Felice said Ifa was already working with Zazzara on another film and intended to continue developing local stories with international reach.
Sulmonacinema APS also took part in the production, with contributions from the Abruzzo Region, the Municipality of Pacentro and the Corsa degli Zingari association. The project also worked with the Raffaele Rossi Historical Archive, with Di Felice highlighting Pasquale Di Ianni’s work.
Sources: ANSA Cultura.