Alice Rohrwacher Wins European Award and Announces Silent Film
The Italian filmmaker Alice Rohrwacher was recognized with the European Achievement in World Cinema award during the European Film Awards 2026 ceremony, which took place in Berlin. At the subsequent event, she revealed plans for her new work, a project that marks a return to the roots of the seventh art. 🎬
A Journey to the Beginnings of Wordless Cinema
Rohrwacher's next work is envisioned as a silent film shot in black and white. The director seeks to explore the primitive narrative of the medium, completely eliminating spoken dialogues. In this format, music and the soundtrack become the pillars for conveying emotions and advancing the story. Rohrwacher stated that she is studying the filmography of pioneers like F. W. Murnau to understand how to tell stories solely with images and sound.
Key Features of the Project:- Silent format in black and white to investigate the original cinematic language.
- Music assumes the main narrative role in the absence of dialogues.
- Direct inspiration from the methods of directors from the silent era.
"I seek to understand how stories were told solely with images and sound; it's a return to the essence," Rohrwacher commented on her study of the classics.
A Vision of European Cinema Based on Joining Forces
Upon accepting the award, Rohrwacher also shared her perspective on the identity of European cinema. For her, it arises from the ability to collaborate beyond national and linguistic borders. She highlighted that the strength of the continent's cinema lies in mixing viewpoints and talents from diverse origins, generating a diverse and enriching cinematic discourse.
Pillars of Her Collaborative Vision:- European cinema as the result of working together across different nations.
- Overcoming language barriers to create a common visual language.
- Combining perspectives and skills from multiple cultures.
A Classic Nod for Contemporary Narrative
In an era dominated by surround sound and complex dialogues, Rohrwacher's decision represents a conscious return to the fundamentals. Her project revives an era when a live pianist and a powerful expression on screen could convey everything. This bet on the primitive aspects of cinema is presented as a modern reflection on the origins and enduring power of pure visual language. 🎞️