Anna Foglietta's Directorial Debut 'A Common Story' Premieres at Venice

Actress Anna Foglietta, who previously hosted the Venice Film Festival in 2020, returns to the Lido, this time making her debut as a director. Her new film, 'A Common Story,' features Alba Rohrwacher, acclaimed for her role in Pablo Larraín’s 'Maria' and a jury member at the 2025 Cannes Festival. The narrative centers on Erika, a middle-aged woman whose domestic life with her husband, Mauro, in the countryside undergoes a significant shift when their daughter, Irene, leaves for higher education abroad. This departure creates a void, destabilizing the couple's established routine and emotional equilibrium. The film explores the profound impact of this transition on their relationship and individual identities.

Foglietta's inspiration for 'A Common Story' stems from her observations of contemporary parenting and societal trends. She notes a prevalent child-centric culture, which, she believes, can lead adults to neglect their own self-care and personal growth. Collaborating with screenwriter Matteo Ferri, Foglietta crafted a narrative focusing on an ordinary couple with deep emotional intelligence but lacking the sophisticated tools often associated with the bourgeoisie to understand themselves and each other. She highlights the courage of actress Alba Rohrwacher in portraying Erika, particularly in confronting themes of aging and menopause with raw authenticity, challenging conventional portrayals of women in decline as they mature.

During her reflections, Foglietta also addressed the gender imbalance at the Venice Film Festival, noting the dismaying fact of only one female director in competition that year. While acknowledging that previous years showed better representation, she points out that the Horizons section, which is more experimental, exhibits a healthier gender balance, indicating the innovative spirit of female filmmakers. Foglietta advocates for systemic changes within the film industry to better support and amplify female voices and perspectives, stressing their crucial value and resourcefulness in shaping cinematic narratives.

This film serves as a poignant reminder that genuine introspection and emotional resilience are not exclusive to any social class. It underscores the universal human experience of adapting to life's transitions and finding strength in vulnerability. By presenting an honest portrayal of a couple grappling with an empty nest and the challenges of midlife, 'A Common Story' champions the often-overlooked struggles of everyday people, advocating for greater empathy and understanding within our communities and emphasizing the vital contribution of diverse perspectives to our collective narratives.