Before the War Wins Venice Critics’ Week Grand Prize and Producer Award

Tommaso Usberti’s Before the War won both the grand prize and best producer award at Venice Critics’ Week, according to reporting by Variety.

The only Italian entry in the section for first films from around the world, the drama follows Guido, a young man raised in a racist and macho Northern Italian environment. His attraction to Sonia, a Kosovar immigrant, forces him to confront the world that shaped him and the possibilities she represents.

Usberti’s brother, Piero Usberti, plays Guido, while Luàna Bajrami plays Sonia. The cast also includes Massimiliano Balduzzi, Sebastien Halnaut and Cisky Capizzi.

The jury praised the film’s direction, lead performance and visual control, describing provincial Italy as the setting for violent passions. It also highlighted the film’s treatment of toxic masculinity, impossible desire and loneliness through silence, sound and music.

Before the War was produced by Thibault de Gantes, Lucas Le Postec, Francesco Virga, Adele Dell’Erario, Marco Serrecchia and Beatrice Bordone Bulgari. The Party Film Sales is handling international sales.

Other Critics’ Week awards went to Shalini Adnani’s Our Share of Sand, which received the audience award; The End of Times, which won best technical contribution and a special mention; and Dong Jie’s Zoom In, Zoom Out, which took the prize for the most innovative film.