Amidst the cries of seagulls and the rustling of the pine forest, something moves. Under the shade of the stone pines, the lives of people who lived through Italy’s ancient history come to life. Their fates, their fortunes, their tragedies.
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Director Biography – Simone Pratola
Born in 2000 in L’Aquila, he works as a director and animator. In
2022 he graduated from CSC in Turin. His graduation film “La notte”, co-directed with Francesca Sofia Rosso and Martina Generali, won the Cristal for a Graduation Film at the 2023 Annecy Festival, as well as numerous awards and selections. With former colleagues in 2026 he forms the “Noctū Animation” collective with which he co-directed “Tribute to the King” for the new Viborg Museum.
He worked on Bruno Bozzetto’s “Sapiens?” and collaborates with
Donato Sansone. For Studio Bozzetto he directed the SAC 2025 opening.
Director Statement
“Under the stone pines” is a dreamlike and elusive vision drawn from the many pasts that have crossed the Italian peninsula. Stone pines are the symbol of many places in Italy, and beneath them I imagined the people who passed through the shadows of their foliage coming back to life. A small tribute to ancient history, of which I am a great enthusiast. It is not a celebratory portrait of civilizations or nations, but rather an intimate and whispered suggestion about the passing of time and the lives that have lived it.
Trailer
| Simone Pratola Director, Writer, Producer, Animation, Background Isophonic Studio Sound design and mix Aes Cranna Ancient instruments and performance Clan dell’Orsa Ancient instruments and performance Figli del sole Ancient instruments and performance Gabriele Sardella Voice actors Siria Pastorino Voice actors Chiara Helm Additional animation Federico Starinieri Additional animation |
