Una storia d'acqua (A History of Water) is a 1-hour, 7-minute and 39-second Italian documentary directed by Giacomo Caldarelli. Made in 2024, the film belongs to the documentary genre with biographical and dramatic elements, and focuses on an unprecedented open-water swimming feat.
The documentary recounts the feat of Marco Fratini, a doctor by profession who, at the age of 50, decides to take on an extreme challenge: becoming the first man to swim the entire perimeter of Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake. The narrative revolves around four main elements—water, the athlete, distance and time—which interweave to create a choral yet intimate account.
Marco Fratini is the film's protagonist and offers a direct, personal account of preparing for and undertaking the challenge. The narrative follows his training, planning stages and the moment of the attempt, highlighting both the sporting and psychological and human aspects of the feat.
The documentary's central message is one of determination, resilience and personal transformation achieved by confronting one's own limits. It is a year of life marked by physical and mental preparation to accomplish something no one had ever done before, in a natural setting that becomes a co-protagonist of the story.
The film was produced by Andrea Frenguelli, Ivan Frenguelli, Giacomo Caldarelli and Daniele Scialò, and is not a student project. It is also director Giacomo Caldarelli's first film; he also co-wrote it with Andrea Frenguelli, Francesco Fabbri and Marco Fratini himself. The documentary was completed on 6 September 2024 and filmed entirely in Italy. The date and location of the premiere are not currently specified.
Film Information
Title: A History of Water
Original title: Una storia d'acqua
Direction: Giacomo Caldarelli
Production: Andrea Frenguelli, Ivan Frenguelli, Giacomo Caldarelli, Daniele Scialò
Country: Italy
Language: Italian
Running time: 67 minutes and 39 seconds
Genre: Documentary, Biopic, Drama
Sport featured: Open-water swimming
Main subject(s): Marco Fratini
Completion date: 6 September 2024
Premiere: [Not specified]
Distributor: [Not specified]
Shooting format: Digital, 16:9, colour
Director's first film: Yes
Student project: No