The film tells the story of the Russian city of Tolyatti, named after the Italian Communist politician Palmiro Togliatti. Constructed from 1967 in the Samara Oblast region as a result of an agreement between the USSR, Italy, and Fiat, the factory city was built under 36 months. The agreement led to the creation of an automobile hub in the heart of Communist Russia, transforming Fiat models into Ladas. The project was a confrontation on many levels: building from scratch, climatic differences for Italian engineers and interpreters, language barriers, and different socio-political situation. The meeting between two cultures and ideologies seemed to be incompatible proved to be one of the last great success enterprises of two systems living the height of their power but destined to decline. An uplifting, hilarious, and dangerously entertaining story directly from the Cold War era.
ABOUT THE DIRECTORS
Federico Schiavi (1972, Rome) is a producer and director. After extensive experience as a film editor, he was one of the founders of the cooperative company Suttvuess that, in ten years of activity, has produced documentaries and news reports in co-production with Italian and international networks. Schiavi has produced, edited or directed more than 50 historical or social issues documentaries that have been screened, awarded and broadcasted all over the world.
Gian Piero Palombini (1974, Rome), after receiving his degree in sociology, worked as a producer for various TV channels. He then specialised in writing for cinema and TV and wrote theatrical productions, news reports and historical documentaries.