Fil-Italian film “Come la Notte” premieres at 31st MedFilm Festival in Rome

The Rome premiere of the film “Come la Notte” (“Where the Night Stands Still”) took place at the 31st MedFilm Festival at the Space Cinema in Rome last Friday, November 7.

The Filipino-Italian film is directed by Liryc Dela Cruz, a Rome-based Filipino filmmaker known for his poetic explorations of migration, memory, and identity. The film stars Benjamine Barcellano, Jenny Caringal, and Tess Magallanes.

“Come la Notte” delves into themes of family, longing, and the struggles of Filipino migrants in Europe. The story follows three Filipino siblings—Lilia, Manny, and Rosa—who work as domestic helpers in Italy. They reunite in a villa that Lilia, the eldest, inherited from her late employer who had no heirs. Their reunion reopens old wounds and unresolved tensions, testing their fragile bond as siblings.

According to Dela Cruz, the film draws inspiration from the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and William Shakespeare’s tragedy “King Lear.”

“Yes, it is an Italian film. It’s something that processes the stories of the people who are living and continue to contribute in the Italian territory. It doesn’t speak of the general Filipino experience but also about the tragic dimension that could possibly happen to all — the contrast of reality, the luck that costs the tragedy!”

“Come la Notte” marks Dela Cruz’s debut full-length feature film (lungometraggio d’esordio) — produced in just six days and on an almost zero budget. It stands as a testament to the talent, dedication, and discipline of its cast and production team.

Triumph on the international stage

After its debut at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Perspective section) last February, “Come la Notte” has been featured at several international film festivals, including:

• International Queer & Migrant Film Festival – Amsterdam
• European Film Festival – Romania
• Open Roads: New Italian Cinema 2025 – New York
• Mostra Internacional de Cinema 2025: Competição Novos Diretores – Barcelona, Spain
• Shanghai International Film Festival – China
• Film festivals in Brazil, Bangkok, and Essen, Germany

In Italy, the film has also been screened in Bolzano, Bellaria, Santarcangelo di Romagna, and Turin.

It won the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio Artistic Performance Award at the Bolzano Film Festival Bozen and earned Best Director for Liryc Dela Cruz in the Asian New Talent section at the Shanghai International Film Festival in June 2025. The film also received a Special Mention at the Concorso Casa Rossa in the Bellaria Film Festival.

Support from Italy’s Filipino community

The Filipino community in Rome warmly supported the premiere. Many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and cultural advocates attended the event to celebrate Dela Cruz’s success and his representation of Filipino artistry on the international stage.

“The film is in black and white, with minimal dialogue and repetition to impose an idea. Although they are siblings, they don’t really know each other. It allows the audience to engage their imagination, intuition, and interpretation. The murder scene is dimly lit, and the final shot in front of the house suggests the younger sibling’s act of help. It’s not easy to watch for casual viewers, but for those who understand cinematic art, Liryc skillfully portrays the complex relationships of OFW siblings using an unconventional storytelling style,” shared viewer Romulo Salvador after watching the film.

About the MedFilm Festival

The MedFilm Festival, held annually in Rome, aims to foster understanding and unity among Mediterranean countries through the art of cinema. By spotlighting films like “Come la Notte,” the festival continues to serve as a bridge for cultural dialogue and creative collaboration across nations. —RF, GMA Integrated News