IFF25 Battleground

Campo di Battaglia

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

Written and directed by Gianni Amelio, 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.

“Borghi stands out with an underplayed and winning performance as the medic with a heart.” - The Film Verdict

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

Rating: CTC

Runtime: 104 mins

Italian with English subtitles

Session Times

Eastend Cinemas

Fri, Sep 26:

12:40

Mon, Oct 6:

13:15

Prospect Cinemas

Wed, Sep 24:

13:30

Sun, Oct 12:

18:50

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