Published: July 06, 2023| 06:06 PM

When Umberto Eco was a leading figure in several social science disciplines, he decided to become a bestselling author. The character of one of the greatest postmodern thinkers was introduced to the festival audience in the documentary Umberto Eco –⁠ A Library of the World. “He is a part of Italian history,” said the film’s director Davide Ferrario before Thursday’s screening in the Small Hall.

The author guides the viewer through the mind of a man blessed with a penetrating intellect, but also through his famous library. “When Eco passed away, his family wanted to donate the books to the state. But they wanted this place to appear somewhere else too – so they came to me. It’s just that the few early shots gradually grew into a feature-length documentary,” the director revealed after the screening.

In addition to Eco’s personality, the film also touches on themes that remain relevant after his death, such as the dangers associated with the re-emergence of neo-fascism.