ORF-E
Italian with English Subtitles
1 x 52 min
Available worldwide except for Germany, France and Italy

Molly, Brontolo, Houdini and Briciola are just a few of the cats that live in the Non-Catholic Cemetery for Foreigners in Rome. Not finding city apartments suitable to their character, they roam the lanes, hide behind the tombs, lie on top of them or run to eat their food in the luscious green area hidden behind the only pyramid still erected in Rome. Along different seasons of the year, they bring us to discover the Old Cemetery established in 1716 and the active area, still offering burial space today. They observe tree-climbers, testing how 30 meter tall pines and hundred-year-old cypress can resist the challenges of today’s climate. And dwell day and night with insects, invasive species and numerous birds co-habiting an area rich in biodiversity. Our protagonists also introduce us to the humans working in the area: Yvonne the Cemetery’s director, the gardeners maintaining the flourishing historic garden, Marzia, a “gattara” as passionate about cats as was Roman actress Anna Magnani and Marco the stone engraver. At times, but not always, they can be perfect hosts, making the visitors feel at peace. And invite those like Börje, a Swedish photographer seeking for his personal harmony, to relate to the tombs and recognize the spirit of life flowing towards the ocean. In a place where people of over 60 different religions have found a place to rest, the cats offer comfort to the families of those buried and bring the visitors to meditate on the relation between death and life.