Final Installment of Hugo Pratt Documentary Trilogy to Debut at Venice
Stefano Knuchel's 'A Longing to Be of No Use – Hugo in Venice' will premiere out of competition at the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 12. It is the third and final film in his trilogy on Italian cartoonist Hugo Pratt, following earlier works on Africa and Argentina. The premiere comes ahead of Pratt's centennial in 2027.
The documentary, titled "Il desiderio di essere inutile – Hugo a Venezia" in Italian, will screen out of competition on September 12th. Its presentation is a joint effort involving the Biennale, the International Critics' Week, and the Giornate degli Autori.
Knuchel's project spans two decades, with earlier entries focusing on Pratt's time in Africa (2009) and Argentina (2021). This concluding chapter arrives just before the 2027 centenary of the comic creator's birth, serving as a timely retrospective.
This premiere could reignite public interest in Hugo Pratt's graphic novels, potentially introducing his work to new audiences through the Venice platform. The documentary's focus on Venice may also boost cultural tourism and scholarly attention to his legacy. As the trilogy concludes, it may solidify Knuchel's reputation as a key chronicler of European comics, influencing how future biopics approach the lives of influential artists.