Francesco Forti

"Dark Horses" is an anthology feature film in five chapters, revolving around dark emotions of tormented souls. In different times and places: a man loses his mother; two girls find each other during WWII; a thorn grows out of a hearts hatred; a horse-jumping champion finds herself captive; two primitives re-discover one another, before language. All their experiences converge into a single story, that of human existence, and its all about learning to ride these emotions, finally moving on. A horse, symbol of strength and freedom, appears in every chapter, guiding the transformation, carrying a deeper meaning.

Riamise is a city without water, consumed by drought, crime, and giant reptiles — the last creatures on Earth. Its people survive by earning blue crystals, the only source of sustenance. While the rich thrive, two clans battle for control, and order collapses when the police commissioner — Jona’s father — is murdered. Jona, returning home, seeks the truth behind his death and the mystery of the crystals. With Kala, a bold girl from the city’s dump, he uncovers a secret that could restore the water and change Riamise’s fate forever.

On a dark night in the woods, a chick runs away scared: something threatening chases him and he fears it's the monster the adults at the tree café are talking about. A journalist robin tries to find out more, but everyone says different things and the identikit that emerges is somewhat unlikely. Despite this, the adults march out of the café to take justice into their own hands, but when they arrive in the woods they come across something unexpected...

Short animated film made at Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia.

Nina Simone in concert at the International Jazz Festival City of Pompeii in 1983