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THE SOUND OF FLAMES, An Ambitious Co-Production About Freedom Presented at the 24th FICM

Brisa Naomi R. L.

As part of the 24th edition of the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), the film The Sound of Flames, a cinematic work notable for its significant international collaboration between Italy and China, was presented. The screening was attended by key members of the production team, including co-director Giuseppe Ferlito and producer Andrea Sinigaglia, who shared insights and reflections on the project with the audience.

The film centers on freedom and the struggle of individuals against those who seek to strip them of their right to live according to their own choices. The plot follows the internal journey of Meng Ran, a renowned Chinese poet, as he travels by train and reflects on memories of his youth during the final stages of China’s Cultural Revolution.

During the presentation, the filmmakers highlighted their pursuit of a new cinematic language capable of weaving together two distinct visions and directorial styles.

"We sought to bridge two different realities and styles—the Chinese and the European—to give this story, which is written and set in China, a tone and atmosphere that blends both cultures," Ferlito explained.

The director also noted that this experience paves the way for future collaborative projects, including a planned European production with Asian influences, and expressed his hope to one day film in Mexico.

Discussing the underlying themes of the feature film, Giuseppe Ferlito pointed out that the narrative’s core is the inalienable pursuit of freedom. "When I read the script, what resonated with me most was that the story addresses a universal theme: freedom. We are born free, and we should die free. When someone tries to take our freedom away, it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to do what we can to live the way we want.”