The voice of Sicily will resonate through Valletta this December as the University of Malta hosts the Maltese premiere of L’amore che ho (The Sicilian Storyteller, 2024), a new biographical film dedicated to legendary singer and activist Rosa Balistreri.

The special screening will take place on December 17 at 6pm in the Aula Magna of the Valletta Campus, marking a significant cultural moment for Maltese audiences with a passion for Italian cinema, music and history.

Directed by Paolo Licata, L’amore che ho offers an intimate portrait of Balistreri – born in 1927 in Licata – whose unmistakable voice and uncompromising spirit made her one of the most influential figures in Sicilian folk music.

<em>L’amore che ho</em> (<em>The Sicilian Storyteller</em>, 2024)L’amore che ho (The Sicilian Storyteller, 2024)

A fierce advocate for women, labourers and the disenfranchised, Balistreri used music to expose injustice and give dignity to the everyday struggles of her people. Over the decades, her collaborations included work with playwright and future Nobel laureate Dario Fo, helping solidify her place in Italy’s cultural memory.

Maltese audiences will experience the film in Italian with English subtitles, with the added privilege of meeting members of the cast and crew.

Actress Lucia Sardo, along with producers Giuseppina Liotta and Maria Francesca Tona, will be present for the premiere, offering insights into the creative process behind bringing Balistreri’s powerful story to the screen. Admission to the event is free, reaffirming the organisers’ commitment to cultural accessibility and community engagement.

Another still from the film. Photo: Facebook.com/<em>L’amore che ho</em>Another still from the film. Photo: Facebook.com/L’amore che ho

The screening is a collaborative initiative between the Department of Italian and the MA in Film Studies at the University of Malta, in partnership with the Embassy of Italy, the Italian Cultural Institute and Com.It.Es. Malta. Their combined efforts highlight the continuing cultural dialogue between Malta and Italy, particularly through film and the performing arts.

Adding to the authenticity of Licata’s film is its evocative musical score, crafted by acclaimed Sicilian singer-songwriter Carmen Consoli. Consoli, whose own artistic contributions have shaped contemporary Italian music, also appears in the film as a street musician accompanying Balistreri during her early performances.

Following the screening, guests will be treated to a tasting of Sicilian specialities, courtesy of Cinema Nuovo Italiano, curators of the Italia Film Festival Malta. This culinary finale promises to immerse audiences even further into the sensory richness of Sicilian culture.