In the quiet southern tip of Puglia, the town of Presicce-Acquarica trades the usual summer festival noise for something gentler: a night at the movies. The CinemApulia series has reached its fourth appointment, and this time the spotlight falls on Gianni De Blasi's L'ultima settimana di settembre.
When a castle becomes a cinema
Watching a film within the walls of a medieval castle changes the way you see the screen. The stone, the cool air and the hush of the old building turn an ordinary screening into a small ritual.
There are no multiplex tricks here. You come for the story, and the setting does the rest.
A series that puts Puglia on screen
CinemApulia is built around the idea that regional cinema deserves its own stage. Each appointment gives local audiences a chance to sit down together, watch a film and talk about it afterwards.
The fourth evening brings a title that carries De Blasi's name, an invitation to discover a filmmaker working close to home. The very title, the last week of September, already hints at that in-between season when summer lingers and autumn starts to knock.
What the evening feels like
Expect a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere rather than a formal premiere. Locals, couples and families tend to drift in, find a seat and settle into the shared silence that only a small screening room can create.
- Intimate room, where every seat feels close to the screen
- Medieval walls that give the night a character no modern cinema can copy
- Conversation after the credits, often the best part of a community screening
- Late-September air, mild enough for a stroll before or after the film
Make a night of it in the Capo di Leuca hinterland
Arrive a little early and wander through Presicce's historic centre. The town is known for its underground olive mills, the frantoi ipogei, a reminder of how deeply olive oil shaped local life.
Acquarica del Capo, the other half of the municipality, adds its own quiet streets and church squares. For a bit of sea, the Ionian beaches around Torre Pali and Pescoluse are a short drive away, lovely for a daytime visit before the evening film.
Little tips for a good screening
Bring a light jacket, since thick castle walls keep the air cool even after a warm day. Check the event's social page for the latest updates on timing and any changes to the programme.
If you are travelling with children or friends, the evening works well as a slow, cultural counterpart to a day at the beach. Dinner afterwards in town, with a plate of orecchiette or a pittula if you spot one, finishes the night the local way.