Franco Battiato. Il lungo viaggio (Franco Battiato. The Long Journey), tv film by Renato De Maria for Rai Fiction, is a compelling look at the life and passions of one of the greatest artists in contemporary Italian music. The film follows the journey of Franco Battiato (Dario Aita), a composer who shaped the history of music in Italy from the 1960s to the early 2000s. The story begins in Sicily, follows his arrival in Milan, exploring the crucial moments of his journey to success, until he returns to his beloved homeland. It's the story of an inner journey, where the artist's nature, already inclined towards spirituality, transforms into a more conscious search for awareness.
The narrative focuses on the evolution of his musical talent and some of the significant encounters that shaped his career and creative spirit, including with Giuni Russo, Juri Camisasca, and Giusto Pio, friend and co-author of many of Battiato's most iconic songs.
The four-week shoot (October - November 2025) with a crew of nearly 70, took place in Lombardy and Sicily, in the places where the musician actually lived.
Filming in Lombardy was primarily focused on Milan, although there is a scene with Battiato and his friend Fleur (Elena Radonicich) chatting on the way up Sacro Monte di Varese.
In Sicily, locations included places where the musician spent his childhood and the final years of his life. In addition to omnipresent mount Etna, which often appears in his dreams, Catania also featured with locations such as the villa in Praino di Milo, the maestro’s final home. A house in piazza Arcoleo, once owned by Roberto Giuffrida, Giarre (Catania), provided another location. Acireale also featured, where Battiato attended high school, with piazza San Biagio, via Scalo Grande, and Santa Maria la Scala in the "chiazzette" area, all appearing.
Franco Battiato. Il lungo viaggio (Franco Battiato. The Long Journey), tv film by Renato De Maria for Rai Fiction, is a compelling look at the life and passions of one of the greatest artists in contemporary Italian music. The film follows the journey of Franco Battiato (Dario Aita), a composer who shaped the history of music in Italy from the 1960s to the early 2000s. The story begins in Sicily, follows his arrival in Milan, exploring the crucial moments of his journey to success, until he returns to his beloved homeland. It's the story of an inner journey, where the artist's nature, already inclined towards spirituality, transforms into a more conscious search for awareness.
The narrative focuses on the evolution of his musical talent and some of the significant encounters that shaped his career and creative spirit, including with Giuni Russo, Juri Camisasca, and Giusto Pio, friend and co-author of many of Battiato's most iconic songs.
The four-week shoot (October - November 2025) with a crew of nearly 70, took place in Lombardy and Sicily, in the places where the musician actually lived.
Filming in Lombardy was primarily focused on Milan, although there is a scene with Battiato and his friend Fleur (Elena Radonicich) chatting on the way up Sacro Monte di Varese.
In Sicily, locations included places where the musician spent his childhood and the final years of his life. In addition to omnipresent mount Etna, which often appears in his dreams, Catania also featured with locations such as the villa in Praino di Milo, the maestro’s final home. A house in piazza Arcoleo, once owned by Roberto Giuffrida, Giarre (Catania), provided another location. Acireale also featured, where Battiato attended high school, with piazza San Biagio, via Scalo Grande, and Santa Maria la Scala in the "chiazzette" area, all appearing.
Rai Fiction, Casta Diva Pictures
The film follows young Franco Battiato from Sicily to Milan, exploring key moments on his path to success, up to his return to his beloved homeland. It is the story of an internal journey, where the artist's nature, already inclined towards spirituality, becomes a more conscious pursuit of awareness. The narrative focuses on the evolution of his musical talent and some of the significant encounters that shaped his career and creative spirit, including with Giuni Russo, Juri Camisasca, and Giusto Pio, a friend and co-author of many of Battiato's most iconic songs.
