TUESDAY 18 NOV – H 18:00 – ROOM 2

ELVIRA NOTARI: BEYOND SILENCE
ITALY, USA – 2025 – 89’

Synopsis
A leading figure in the golden age of Neapolitan silent cinema, Elvira Notari created some sixty feature films that, weaving the passions of popular drama with unflinching depictions of urban life, captivated audiences from Naples to the Little Italies of America. With the advent of sound and undermined by Fascist censorship, she withdrew from filmmaking in 1930. Her name faded into silence and much of her work was lost. Today, 150 years after her birth, Elvira Notari returns to the spotlight through the efforts of scholars and artists who are reclaiming her legacy and reimagining it in new forms.

director’s statement

“A true community has emerged around the figure of the director, united by a passion for her work and its collective rediscovery. From a ghost on the margins of cinema history, Elvira has come to light as a living presence that transcends the boundaries of silent film. Our film aims to be a catalyst for these energies: an invitation to rediscover Elvira and explore how the power of shared memory can not only transform our perception of the past but also generate new possibilities for expression.”

awards and festivals
2025 Mostra di Venezia – Venice Classics