PLOT : The story of Francesco Baracca and those flying pioneers who distinguished themselves by their actions and bravery during World War I is told: the aviation aces on May 1, 1917, formed the 91stFighter Airplane Squadron on the Santa Caterina Field in Pasian di Prato (Udine) and had great success in shoot-downs until the Austro-Hungarians launched their offensive that led to the defeat at Caporetto. On June 19, 1918, while engaged on Montello, Baracca's SPAD S.VII was shot down; his body was found four days later, and his funeral was held on June 26 at Quinto di Treviso in the presence of civil and military authorities. On March 28, 1923, a royal decree sanctioned the birth of the Air Force, crowning Baracca's dream, and Pier Ruggero Piccio became its chief of staff two years later. The beloved Norina Cristofoli, whom Baracca had met in Udine in September 1917 a few days before the defeat at Caporetto, took refuge in Milan where she received numerous letters from Francesco Baracca, the last of which was dated June 4, 1918, a few days before the aviator's death.
Mario Vitale. In 2014 Mario Vitale wrote and directed the short film "The Dive," which was selected and awarded at several national and international festivals. In 2016 he wrote and directed the short films Fatima and Nowadays you have to make up your own work. In 2018, he writes and directs the short film Prenditi Cura di Me starring Daphne Scoccia. The short film is selected by the National Short Film Center and MIUR to be screened in several Italian schools. In 2021 his first feature film entitled L’afide a la formica is released in Italian cinemas. The movie, which won “Best Italian First Feature” at the Fabrique du Cinema Awards is presented and awarded in several Italian and international festivals.
Length 1h 30min
Year 2023
Cast
Andrea Bosca, Rodolfo Corsato, Ciro Esposito,
Distribution Rai 1
Production Anele, in association with Rai Documentari, co-produced with Istituto Luce Cinecittà