30. Film Festival della Lessinia
Bosco Chiesanuova (Italia)
23 August - 1 September 2024

The documentary is a harmonious work born from the desire to reconstruct a historical era in a smuggling area between Ossola and Valais. The events, which cover the period from the end of the 18th century to the early 1970s, are narrated through the testimonies of local historians, both Italian and Swiss, border guards, and the last Ossola shoulder guards and finance police still alive, and focus on the relationship of distrust between the two parties, while underlining the feeling of solidarity and mutual aid present in times of need. In addition to documenting solid historical roots, Nicola Buffoni's work also offers the unique opportunity to travel through the evocative high valleys of Ossola and Valais, provoking reflections and ultimately asking the question: "Is smuggling a sin?"

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  Nicola Buffoni

  Born in 1967, he is a director, author, and producer. He attended Ipotesi Cinema, a school directed by Ermanno Olmi. He has worked as an editor, collaborating with directors such as Virzì, Salvatores, Muccino and Soldini. Since 2000 he has been exclusively involved in directing and producing documentaries and commercials. His works include Le Impronte della tartaruga (2006), Racconti di Libertà (2023) and Il contrabbando non è peccato (2024).