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ITAFF25: Battleground

Synopsis

BATTLEGROUND

Campo di Battaglia

Australian premiere

Written and directed by Gianni Amelio (Lord of the Ants IFF22), loosely based on the 2018 novel The Challenge by Carlo Patriarca, Battleground is a powerful story of sacrifice, nationalism, courage and compassion during wartime.

As World War I draws to a close, two medical officers, childhood friends, work in the same military hospital where every day the most seriously wounded arrive from the front, many with self-inflicted wounds, doing anything to avoid returning to combat.

With opposing views about their duties, Dr. Stefano Zorzi (Gabriel Montesi), is a patriotic, duty-bound medic, while Dr. Giulio Farradi (Alessandro Borghi, is more tolerant. Friends with them both since medical school but hampered from continuing her studies, nurse Anna (Federica Rosellini) volunteers alongside them with the Red Cross.

But something strange begins to happen, with many patients mysteriously growing worse. As the great ‘Spanish’ flu epidemic arrives in 1918 and the outbreak contaminates the civilian population, soon love, politics and science become dangerously confused as another battle begins.

2024 | Italy | Italian with English subtitles

AWARDS & FESTIVALS

WINNER | La Pellicola d'Oro Award - Best Costume Designer, Venice Film Festival 2024
NOMINEE | Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, David di Donatello Awards 2025
NOMINEE | Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Nastro d’Argento Awards 2025
NOMINEE | Best Film, Venice Film Festival 2024

Opening Date

Friday, Sep 26, 2025

Rating

CTC

Length

104m

Reviews

Borghi stands out with an underplayed and winning performance as the medic with a heart.

The Film Verdict

Luna Recommended

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