At the Bari International Film and Television Festival (Bif&st), a recent premiere highlighted an evocative intimate story about three beloved Italian musicians: Niccolò Fabi, Daniele Silvestri, and Max Gazzè. Their documentary, titled Fabi, Silvestri, Gazzè. Un passo alla volta, debuted between March 22 and March 29, 2025, filling the air with nostalgia and camaraderie.
The event took place at the historic Teatro Petruzzelli, where the documentary's presentation culminated in a live performance by the trio. With only two acoustic guitars, a small keyboard, and two microphones, they played two of their signature songs, "Alzo le mani" and "L’amore non esiste." The audience erupted into enthusiastic singing, especially from younger fans who passionately joined in. The atmosphere was electric, a fitting tribute to the musical legacy shared by the three artists now in their late fifties.
The documentary, directed by Francesco Cordio and edited by Giogiò Franchini, will soon reach Italian cinemas, screening on April 7, 8, and 9, 2025. This film offers a reflective look at the friendship and collaboration meshed over a span of three decades. It draws upon footage from their monumental concert at the Circo Massimo on July 6, 2024, capturing the joy and spontaneity of their musical endeavor.
Documenting their tour from a decade ago that promoted the album Il padrone della festa, the film offers a journey back in time. Fabi, Silvestri, and Gazzè have shared a bond since their early days living close to each other in the artistic milieu of Rome’s Locale in vicolo del Fico, a venue that was more than just a place to perform music.
In an exclusive interview, Cordio expressed how the project arose from a longstanding connection with Silvestri, along with a relatively newer relationship with Gazzè and Fabi. “Ten years ago, during their tour in clubs across Europe, I filmed a different documentary,” he began, mentioning how this earlier project showcased their interaction with Italian expats, highlighting a rich tapestry of individual stories within a musical context.
This time around, the tables turned; instead of fans recounting their experiences with the musicians, Silvestri, Fabi, and Gazzè step into the forefront to narrate their own experiences, a structure Cordio finds both liberating and challenging. “The film chronicles 30 years of friendship, of a celebration that unfolds in fits and starts,” he states. The documentary endeavors to weave together narratives of their personal and professional lives, melding music with societal, cultural, and even political themes.
As Cordio points out, the film's editing process was crucial in maintaining balance among the three artists. “Each artist has been granted equal space, both musically and in narrative,” he clarified, indicating that the concert footage would complement the themes uncovered in the interviews conducted before their 2024 concert.
The ingenious approach was to connect the dots via song—using specific tracks to echo themes discussed during interviews. For example, mentioning Rome prompted a connection to their song "Lasciarsi un giorno a Roma." Cordio highlights the importance of not just keeping the spirit of the concert alive in the film's audio design but capturing the essence of their collective musical journey through an engaging auditory experience.
Visually, the documentary resonates with deeper symbolic undertones. One such prominent symbol is the tree, which plays an essential role throughout the film. This motif, represented on the album cover, encapsulates not only their artistic roots but also their personal growth and intertwined destinies. Silvestri expressed the idea that “time is vertical,” which underscored the film's structure, reflecting a continuous ebb and flow between past and present.
This artistic juxtaposition results from the filmmakers' efforts to navigate the complexity of three distinct personalities, each contributing uniquely to the narrative. “We wanted to respect the proportions and give each artist their due,” Cordio commented on the challenges encountered during editing.
Furthermore, he revealed that Niccolò Fabi frequently discards most of his archival material, whereas Silvestri maintains a wealth of videos, creating an intriguing contrast in how their careers have been documented.
As the premier screening at Bif&st wrapped up, the atmosphere was charged with appreciation, from the audience's rapturous applause to the camaraderie shared among the three musicians, each representing a vital part of Italy's vibrant music scene. The trio's passion and dedication to their craft were palpable, leaving lasting impressions on those fortunate enough to witness the event.
Ultimately, Fabi, Silvestri, Gazzè. Un passo alla volta emerges not only as a documentary but as a poignant celebration of friendship, music, and the stories that bind us all. With untold tales of laughter, struggle, and inspiration, audiences can expect a film rich in both personal narratives and a musical legacy that continues to resonate.
The artistic journey captured in this documentary echoes the sentiments of a generation growing up with their melodies. For devoted fans and newcomers alike, the film provides a doorway into the lives of three extraordinary musicians who have profoundly shaped the Italian musical landscape.
