Festival of the Unreal

Among the many fundamental quests that shape our lives and give meaning to our existence, the search for truth occupies a special place in the construction of our reality: the tangible world as shaped by our political outlook and by the scientific narratives that describe it. Unlike existential quests, which are largely—or entirely—fuelled by our philosophical affinities and personal beliefs, the pursuit of truth should, in an ideal world, rely solely on objective facts. Yet that ideal world has never existed. Since Antiquity, the conflict between the search for truth and political manipulation has been recognised as a serious threat to the impartiality and ethical foundations of society. Socrates himself became a victim of this conflict when he was tried on unfounded charges rooted in the religious beliefs of his time. Today, the struggle to maintain an objective perspective on current events and to pursue truth has become even more challenging, fuelled by the troubling resurgence of fascism and by the unprecedented reach of digital networks. In these shared online spaces, emotions, urgent appeals and personal opinions circulate freely and are often relayed instinctively. Post-truth describes precisely this defeat: a condition in which objective facts have less influence on public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. For the fifth edition of the Festival of the Unreal, L'Entrela' invites audiences to explore this defining phenomenon of the digital age through cinema, literature, an exhibition, talks by experts, a workshop and even a video game. Each event will be followed by a discussion designed to encourage critical reflection and provide practical tools for navigating the age of post-truth with greater objectivity.