# Naples: Auteur Cinema Arrives on the Beaches with the “Arena” Review
Arthouse cinema arrives on the beaches of Naples thanks to the "Arena" festival, promoted and funded by the City of Naples, curated by Nest Napoli Est Teatro, and under the artistic direction of Francesco Di Leva and Adriano Pantaleo. From September 6th to 20th, nine events will brighten the evenings of Neapolitans at the Lido Mappatella, the Lido Comunale di Bagnoli, and the beach of San Giovanni a Teduccio.
The screenings, which will begin at 20.30:XNUMX p.m., will be enriched by meetings with directors and actors. Admission will be free, with the only request to bring a beach towel to sit comfortably.
A Summer of Cinema by the Sea
“This film festival – says Sergio Locoratolo, coordinator of cultural policies for the Municipality of Naples – touches the city’s beaches, from Bagnoli to San Giovanni a Teduccio, and constitutes a further step in the political strategy outlined by Mayor Manfredi, aimed at including all neighborhoods.
By overcoming the traditional dichotomy between center and periphery, a dynamic and innovative interpretation of the concept of 'polycentric city' is therefore realized. Cinema thus becomes a catalyst for the strengthening of the network of cultural initiatives promoted by the administration.
And all this is the result of a daily commitment aimed at promoting inclusive proposals that satisfy the needs of heterogeneous audiences and respect the specificities of individual territorial contexts.”
The Poetry of Open-Air Cinema
“With 'Arena – says Ferdinando Tozzi, the Mayor's delegate for audiovisual and the music industry – we can once again breathe the poetry of open-air cinema in Naples and reaffirm the educational role that belongs to the seventh art. The festival, through its programming and the themes it addresses, coherently embraces the cultural vision of the Manfredi Administration.
Everyone will be able to enjoy watching some cult films under the stars, but also recover several recent cinematic titles.”
Territorial Connections
“Since we started,” explains Francesco Di Leva, “we have been trying to broaden our territorial connections, not focusing solely and exclusively on the territory of San Giovanni a Teduccio. Networking three beaches that are symbols of our territory, where a purification process is beginning that will be long and complex, but represents a new beginning, is a unique opportunity.
We need to take back the beaches, give them back to the population through cinema, culture. They need to go back to being healthy meeting points.”
Screening Schedule
The program opens at the Lido Mappatella in Mergellina on September 6 with a tribute to Massimo Troisi and the screening of his first film as director, “Ricomincio da tre”.
On September 7, the Four Days of Naples will be celebrated with the documentary film “4 days for freedom: Naples 1943”. On September 8, again at the Lido Mappatella, Nicola Prosatore's film “Piano Piano” will be shown, followed by a debate with the director and part of the cast.
From September 11 to 13, the festival will move to the Lido Comunale di Bagnoli. It will start with a tribute to Marcello Mastroianni for the 100th anniversary of his birth with the screening of “Stanno tutti bene”.
On September 12th it will be the turn of the animated documentary film “Il segreto di Liberato”, and it will end on September 13th with the film by Michele Riondino “Palazzina Laf”. The last three events will be held on the beach of San Giovanni a Teduccio.
On September 18, a tribute to Salvatore Piscicelli with “Vita segreta di Maria Capasso”. On September 19, the Disney masterpiece “WALL•E” will be screened, ideal for the whole family.
The festival will close on September 20 with Marco D'Amore's latest film, “Caracas,” in the presence of the director and cast.
An Inclusive Initiative
Admission to all screenings is free, with the only request to bring a beach towel to sit on. For further information, you can contact the email address [info@ravellosrl.com](mailto:info@ravellosrl.com).
All that remains is to prepare to experience magical evenings by the sea, under the starry sky of Naples.
