La Salita, directed by Massimiliano Gallo, is less a debut film than a controlled emotional detonation — a place where fiction barely holds together, because reality keeps seeping through the cracks. Set between the echoes of a juvenile detention centre and the fragile mythology of theatre as salvation, Gallo’s first feature doesn’t “discover” its six young actors; it exposes them.
Alfredo Cossu, Manuel Mazia, Antonio Iovine, Francesco Piccirillo, Giuseppe De Simone, and Alessandro De Renzi don’t perform transformation — they inhabit it. Between vulnerability and instinct, discipline and chaos, they speak about acting as something closer to survival than craft. What emerges is not a cast, but a temporary constellation of lives learning how to feel in public for the first time, and then no longer being able to turn it off.
Alfredo Francesco Cossu plays Emanuele, the film’s protagonist
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Alfredo describes this experience as something that has the power to transform the way he sees himself and his future.
Does working on a project so deeply rooted in reality change your approach to acting?
The fact that this project is so deeply rooted in reality made everything easier and, at the same time, changed me profoundly. My character was very close to a part of myself, so it almost felt natural to let him live through me on set. At first it was difficult because I needed to understand what I was actually doing, but once I started understanding my work, everything became easier and more meaningful.
Do you feel closer to building a character or discovering one?
I think building and discovering a character are deeply connected; to build a character, you first need to discover them. But the first step is truly knowing yourself. Without that, it becomes difficult to enter the soul of a character. When you realise this, you understand that acting goes far beyond castings and films.
If you wrote a letter to your future self, what would you remind him of?
I would remind myself where I come from. I’m afraid of losing the passion and the happiness you feel when you first start this profession. If you lose those things, you lose everything.
How much has this journey changed you?
It changed my life, the way I see things, and even my habits. I never dreamed of becoming an actor, but this film awakened something that was already inside me — maybe a passion, maybe a talent. Today, I feel this is my path.
Manuel Mazia plays Paolo, a boy passionate about cinema
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For Manuel, the experience on set was, above all, about vulnerability and the courage to reveal emotions that are often kept hidden.
Wh did the boundary between actor and character start disappearing?
I think the boundary started disappearing when we stopped “acting” the scenes and simply started living them. On set, we built a strong sense of trust between us, through silences, glances, and moments off camera. That made everything more real, more fragile, and also more intense and conflicted — just like in the film.
If you had to describe Paolo without words, what would represent him?
I think the gesture that represents Paolo the most is the final hug with Emanuele. He’s a very insecure character, but with a strong desire for redemption and self-worth. That moment — and especially the silence within it — says everything.
If you wrote a letter to your future self, what would you say?
I would remind myself never to lose the curiosity and hunger I have today. Growing up, there’s always the risk of becoming emotionally distant. Right now I still feel everything very intensely, and I hope my future self remembers where that fire comes from.
What are you taking away from this experience?
This experience changed the way I see vulnerability. Paolo taught me that transformation doesn’t happen through big gestures, but through small emotional shifts. After La Salita, I became more honest with myself, especially about the things I usually keep inside.
Antonio Iovine plays Davide, a boy who learns to trust others
For Antonio, the project became a pivotal moment—one that profoundly shaped both his artistic path and his personal growth.
What kind of experience was this for you?
Among all my experiences in cinema, this was definitely the most important and impactful. Massimiliano Gallo always guided us, made us feel comfortable, and gave us valuable advice — and I think all of that comes through in the film.
What kind of relationship did you have with your character?
My character is Davide, and I immediately felt close to him. He was very similar to me. At first, I worked instinctively because of that similarity, but later I understood that preparation was still essential. I studied him deeply to make him my own. At the beginning, Davide keeps to himself, but through theatre he learns that the world is not entirely bad.
If you wrote a letter to your future self, what would you say?
I would tell my older self to keep going no matter what life brings, and never give up — even when everything seems to fall apart — because that’s exactly when you discover your strength.
How important has this film been in your life?
This film gave me hope at a time when I had none. Just like in the film, I went through a transformation too, and I understood what I’m truly searching for. Change always happens — we just need to learn how to guide it.
Francesco Piccirillo plays Enzo “il Rosso”, who is never seen without his chewing gum
For Francesco, this experience meant bringing his extensive theatre background to the screen while embracing a more subtle and instinctive acting language.
How does acting change when you move from theatre to cinema?
In theatre you project and push. In cinema, you have to trust that even the smallest detail will come through. For me, it’s always about truth — only the language changes.
How much does reality influence the way you build a character?
Acting has a political dimension because it is always connected to what is happening in the world. I try to let reality subtly influence my characters, making them rooted in something real.
If you wrote a letter to your future self, what would you say?
I would remind him of everything we lived on set — the emotions, and above all the friendships. These people are like brothers to me now.
What stays with you from this journey?
It changed me profoundly because it allowed me to become a child again. It wasn’t just a film — it was a human experience that left something permanent inside me.
Giuseppe De Simone portrays Vincenzo, who grows up in a family deeply connected to the Camorra
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For Giuseppe, stepping into the role of Vincenzo meant confronting a harsh reality shaped by loyalty, anger, and the struggle to carve out his own place in the world.
How did you find your space within the group?
I managed to carve out a personal space without breaking the collective balance, bringing personality to my character without interfering with others.
Were there moments where you stopped acting and became the character?
Yes, especially during the theatre scenes. I wasn’t thinking about acting anymore — I was simply living the moment.
If you wrote a letter to your future self, what would you say?
I would tell him never to stop believing and to give everything he has. I want to remember these emotions and everything they taught me.
How much did this role impact you?
It changed my perspective on prison life and on the possibility of change. I understood that everyone can start over and live a dignified life.
Alessandro De Renzi plays Franchino Marlboro, the quietest member of the group
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Closing the narrative is Alessandro, who describes this journey as an experience capable of leaving a lasting mark long after the cameras stop rolling.
How did you experience the relationship with the other actors?
I was able to separate the professional and personal moments, taking the best from both.
Were there moments where the character stayed with you off-camera?
Yes, there were several moments when I stopped acting and simply became the character.
What do you take away from this experience?
It’s a story of transformation and hope. It changed the way I see life and made me understand how important change really is.
CREDITS
TALENTS:
ALFREDO COSSU
MANUEL MAZIA
FRANCESCO PICCIRILLO
ALESSANDRO DE RENZI
GIUSEPPE DE SIMONE
ANTONIO IOVINE
PRESS: ZACCARIA COMMUNICATION PHOTOGRAPHER: RUBEN QUARANTA
STYLIST: GIUSEPPE TRONCONE.
HAIR & MAKE-UP: SAL DE MARIA A.D. TEAM CAT ITALIA
STYLIST ASSISTANTS: BEATRICE GASPARRI & ALESSANDRO GIRARDI
FASHION EDITOR: CORINNA FUSCO