Margherita Ferrari on Working With Paolo Sorrentino on Directorial Debut ‘Föa — Once Upon a Future’: ‘He Helped Me Pursue and Protect My Vision’

Italian filmmaker Margherita Ferrari has made a striking entrance into the international cinema scene with her debut feature, "Föa – Once Upon a Future," premiering at the Busan International Film Festival. The film, which marks a notable collaboration with acclaimed director Paolo Sorrentino in his first producing role, revisits a pivotal moment in recent European history through a unique narrative lens.

Set against the backdrop of the 2001 G8 summit in Genoa, the film unfolds during a period marked by intense clashes between protesters and law enforcement, a confrontation that left a lasting impact on the anti-globalization movement. Ferrari’s story centers on Nicole, an 18-year-old and heavily pregnant, who shelters three activists amidst the turmoil, crafting a narrative that intertwines personal and political upheaval.

The choice to frame the film as a fable allows Ferrari to explore the emotional and psychological reverberations of the events rather than recounting them in a straightforward historical manner. This approach offers audiences an intimate, almost dreamlike perspective on the disturbances that reverberated far beyond Genoa’s streets. The title "Föa," derived from Genoese dialect meaning a story or fable, encapsulates the film’s blend of reality and imaginative storytelling.

Paolo Sorrentino’s involvement as producer through his company Numero 10 represents a significant endorsement for Ferrari, with the production house co-producing alongside The Apartment and PiperFilm. Sorrentino’s support was particularly focused on safeguarding Ferrari’s directorial vision rather than exerting creative control, as he maintained a respectful distance during filming and intervened mainly during writing and editing phases.

Ferrari’s inspiration for the film is deeply personal, rooted in childhood memories of the Genoa events and resonating with feelings of isolation experienced during the recent global pandemic. She articulates a broader generational disillusionment with powerlessness in the face of large-scale sociopolitical forces. By embedding these themes into her work, Ferrari connects the historical moment with contemporary concerns about the future.

The film’s cast includes emerging talents such as Gaia Ravina, Clara Tramontano, Iker Urgoiti, and Gabriele Falsetta, who bring nuanced performances to the story’s intimate setting. This focus on new voices aligns with Sorrentino’s expressed commitment to nurturing fresh talent and distinctive perspectives within the film industry.

“Föa – Once Upon a Future” originated as Ferrari’s graduation project at Rome’s prestigious Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, before evolving into a full-length feature. The film’s narrative ambition reflects its creator’s desire to transcend a historical event and engage with enduring questions about memory, trauma, and hope.

The production and release of the film occur amid an international landscape where cinema is increasingly called upon to reflect on social and political upheavals with sensitivity and innovation. Ferrari’s work contributes to this discourse by offering a cinematic meditation that is both specific in its historical setting and universal in its emotional resonance.

While details about the film’s distribution plans remain limited, PiperPlay is managing international sales, positioning "Föa" for broader global exposure following its festival debut. The project’s intersection of historical reflection, personal storytelling, and cinematic artistry marks it as a significant entry in contemporary Italian cinema and a promising start for Margherita Ferrari’s directing career.