Lucca: A Sanctuary of Liberation and Community
Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, Lucca is renowned for its Renaissance walls, cobblestone streets, and rich cultural heritage. However, in Manlio Castagna’s latest documentary, “They Put on Masks to Show Their True Selves,” the city is portrayed as a profound sanctuary of liberation and a testament to the power of community. The film delves into Lucca’s unique relationship with identity, tradition, and self-expression, revealing how masks—both literal and metaphorical—can uncover the essence of who we are.
The Magic of Lucca Comics & Games
Premiering at the Venice Film Festival to critical acclaim, the documentary centers on Lucca’s annual Lucca Comics & Games festival, Europe’s largest event of its kind. Each autumn, the city transforms into a vibrant celebration of cosplayers, artists, and enthusiasts who don elaborate costumes and masks, embodying characters from comic books, video games, and fantasy worlds. Castagna uses this event as a lens to explore themes of identity, belonging, and the transformative power of art.
Masks as a Revelation
“Lucca is a place where people come to shed their everyday selves and embrace something greater,” Castagna explains. “The masks they wear are not meant to hide who they are—they’re meant to reveal it. In a world that often forces us to conform, Lucca offers a rare space where people can truly be themselves, even if that self is a dragon, a superhero, or a character from a beloved story.”
Personal Stories of Transformation
The film follows several festival attendees, each with their own reasons for participating. Among them is Sofia, a shy college student who finds her voice through cosplaying as a fierce warrior princess, and Marco, a software engineer who reconnects with his childhood love of storytelling. Through their stories, Castagna highlights the profound impact of this temporary escape from reality on one’s sense of self.
Lucca: A Timeless Metaphor
Beyond the festival, the documentary celebrates Lucca itself. The city, with its medieval architecture and timeless charm, serves as a metaphor for the enduring human spirit. Castagna’s cinematography captures the interplay between the old and the new, showcasing how a city steeped in history can also be a place of innovation and reinvention.
Cultural Significance of Masks
The film also explores the broader cultural role of masks in Italian tradition, from the Venetian Carnival to the ancient rituals of the Commedia dell’arte. Castagna draws parallels between these traditions and modern cosplay, suggesting that wearing a mask is not about escaping reality, but about confronting it in a meaningful way.
A Love Letter to Lucca
Critics have praised the documentary for its emotional depth and visual beauty, calling it a love letter to Lucca and its people. “Castagna has crafted a film that is both deeply personal and universally resonant,” wrote one reviewer. “It reminds us that, in a world that often feels divided, there are still places where we can come together and celebrate what makes us unique.”
A Celebration of Community
For Lucca, the documentary is more than just a film—it’s a celebration of the city’s spirit. As one local resident aptly put it, “Lucca is not just a place on a map. It’s a feeling, a community, a home. When people come here, they find something they didn’t even know they were looking for.”
In “They Put on Masks to Show Their True Selves,” Manlio Castagna captures that feeling with grace and authenticity, offering viewers a glimpse into a world where masks are not a disguise, but a revelation. It’s a reminder that the truest version of ourselves is often the one we least expect.
