Exclusive Trailer for Venice Premiere Anatomy of a Portrait Showcases a Bold Visionary

      Highlighting the groundbreaking vision of Fernanda Wittgens, the first female museum director in Italy, Francesco Clerici and Mattia Colombo's "Anatomy of a Portrait" is set to debut at Giornate degli Autori during the Venice Film Festival. In anticipation of the premiere, we are excited to exclusively reveal the film's first trailer, featuring Sara Drago and Giovanna Ginex.

      Here’s the synopsis: “Fernanda Wittgens became part of the Brera Museum in 1928 and soon after was appointed its director. Brave and forward-thinking, she saved artworks from bombings during the war, assisted political dissidents against Fascism, and helped Jewish families escape the regime, which led to her imprisonment. After Italy was liberated, she worked to restore the Brera and advocated for its open accessibility to everyone. However, despite her innovative policies, she was overlooked after her passing. This film addresses that neglect. Featuring actress Sara Drago, who embodies Wittgens in her letters, and art historian Giovanna Ginex, the filmmakers create a collaborative environment where history and contemporary interpretations merge. Although Fernanda may be invisible, her spirit is alive.”

      “When producer Marco Malfi first introduced us to Fernanda Wittgens, we were captivated. In today's context, where nationalism is resurfacing and patriarchy persists, her story feels profoundly relevant,” the directors explained. “Moreover, it posed the intriguing challenge of crafting a film around what is absent, given the almost complete lack of images of her. How do we proceed from almost nothing? And as men, how do we respectfully approach her experiences? This prompted us to involve actress Sara Drago and art historian Giovanna Ginex, leading us to spend a week together in the studio to recreate Wittgens’ voice and create an accurate and intimate portrait. Following Wittgens’ journey, the project became an exploration of the biopic genre itself, as the significance of archival materials and historical reconstructions began to merge with the present, facilitating a direct engagement with contemporary issues.” (Francesco Clerici, Mattia Colombo)

      Watch the trailer below: