#FIRSTLOOK: “AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT” TO PREMIERE AT HOT DOCS 2025

Italy/US co-production producing partners, Marta Zaccaron, Incipit Film and Christine La Monte, La Monte Productions, in association with Andy Cohen, AC Films Inc. are pleased to announce that Maxim Derevianko feature film directorial debut’s documentary, AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT will have its Canadian premiere at Hot Docs 2025 as part of their Big Idea. ( https://hotdocs.ca/festivals/hot-docs-festival/big-ideas)

AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT is an Italy/US co-production directed by Maxim Derevianko (Ars Erotica, Origen, Le Creature di Prometeo/Le Creature di Capucci), co-written by Michele Cogo (The Red Door) and Derevianko and produced by Co-production producing partners, Marta Zaccaron (The Kiss of the Grasshopper, Family Therapy, Sanremo), and Christine La Monte (VIVA VERDI!), with producer Andy Cohen (To Kill a Tiger) executive produced by Julian Lennon (Maya, Women of the White Buffalo) and Marcie Polier (Two Gun Cohen.)

AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT delves into the artistic journey of renowned Chinese artist and activist, Ai Weiwei, during his groundbreaking operatic directorial debut at the Rome Opera House. Drawing inspiration from Puccini’s renowned opera, Turandot, Ai Weiwei masterfully weaves together the opera’s timeless narrative with contemporary global issues, including the Ukraine war, the refugee crises, tyranny, freedom of speech, and more. The film not only reaffirms the enduring relevance of Puccini’s masterpiece but also serves as a reflection of Ai Weiwei’s life and artistic philosophy. Capturing the meticulous staging, rehearsals, and collaborations that bring this visionary production to life, the film takes viewers on an historic behind-the-scenes exploration of Ai Weiwei’s creative process. According to esteemed choreographer Chiang Ching, a lifelong friend and collaborator of Ai Weiwei who provides insights into the deeply personal connection between Ai Weiwei and Turandot, the opera serves as a reflection of Ai Weiwei’s own life. This fusion of the opera’s stunning visuals, evocative music, and powerful storytelling offers a transformative experience that encompasses the essence of Ai Weiwei’s creative vision and process inviting viewers to witness the convergence of music, activism, and visual art, celebrating the enduring legacy of Turandot and the visionary spirit of Ai Weiwei.

AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT Co-production producing partners Marta Zaccaron and Christine La Monte, producing together with Andy Cohen, remark, “Hot Docs and its arts-forward audience is the perfect festival for AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT to make its North American Premiere. The film celebrates the creative process and the power of collaboration, revealing the transformative impact that art can have on individuals and society at large. Thank you Heather Haynes and your stellar team for embracing our film – we are all thrilled to be Toronto-bound!”

Director Maxim Derevianko adds, “Delighted to have my Canadian premiere at Hot Docs. Working with Ai Weiwei has been a life-long dream realized – through his directorial journey, I’ve been able to explore the intersection of opera, activism, and contemporary challenges. Very happy to be sharing our film with Hot Docs audiences – renowned for appreciating documentaries.”

Cinematography by Maxim Derevianko, editing by Emanuele Bonomi (Croste di Polenta) with consulting editor Kate Amend (Into The Arms of Strangers,) sound editing and mix by Federico Cabula (Una Femmina: The Code of Silence), Marco Falloni (The Eight Mountains) with original music by Marco Guazzone (The Place.)

An Incipit Film and La Monte Production Co-Production in association with AC Film, White Feather Films and Homemade Entertainment, in collaboration with Teatro Dell/Opera Di Roma, Co-financed by Fondo Audiovisivo FVG and Direzione Generale Cinema & Audiovisivo.

Rise and Shine World Sales will be handling international sales for the film.

ABOUT MAXIM DERVIANKO
An award-winning director, Derevianko is based in Rome. In 2023, he directed the docuseries “Ars Erotica” with Euridice Axen, a 5-episode series about Eros in the Arts for Sky Arte, produced by Bottega Finzioni. Previously, Derevianko directed and wrote the feature documentaries “Le Creature di Prometeo/Le Creature di Capucci,” which follows the fashion Maestro Roberto Capucci in his last creations for a show at the Spoleto Festival, presented at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome, as well as, “Origen,” about the return of some of the most important choreographers and dancers in Europe after the lockdown within the Origen Festival Cultural in Switzerland, including ballet companies such as the Paris Operà, The Staatsoper of Vienna, the Zurich Ballet and NDT. In 2018, Derevianko directed the feature documentary, “Cellos & Drums” for the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, following renowned cellist, Giovanni Sollima and his Ensemble in Rome and Amsterdam concerts. During his work collaborating with the Rome Opera House, he produced and directed multicam streamings and trailers for all opera and ballet productions, working with internationally renowned directors such as Sofia Coppola, Emma Dante, William Kentridge, for opera and choreography, and dancers such as Roberto Bolle, Eleonora Abbagnato and Angelin Preljocaj. Among his current and ongoing work for top international brands includes directing Netflix’s advertising campaigns for international series “Berlin” with Pedro Alonso and “Emily in Paris” with Lily Collins, as well as Bulgari’s Crafting Magnificence campaign and Octofinissimo campaign, with actor Alessandro Borghi and “Utopia” for Dior. Prior to this, he directed, wrote and produced the multi-award winning sci-fi short film, BODYPIECES.

INCIPIT FILM (Italy) / INCIPIT FILM, founded and headed by Marta Zaccaron, is an independent production company based in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. It develops, produces and co-produces documentary and fiction projects for the international market that address relevant issues to the society we live in, mostly in co- production with foreign partners. It is a company in constant evolution, born with a purely documentary vocation, that has recently co- produced feature films that have garnered much international acclaim, participating in prestigious festivals and distributed through European channels. It is pursuing more and more ambitious projects and collaborations with very talented artists and with an innovative narrative. Incipit Film works regularly with the FVG Audiovisual Fund, FVG Film Commission, MiC and RAI.

LA MONTE PRODUCTIONS (USA) / LA MONTE PRODUCTIONS is a Los Angeles-based entertainment production company founded and headed by former Universal, Disney and Orion marketing executive, Christine La Monte. In addition to AI WEIWEI’S TURANDOT, current projects on the festival circuit include feature documentary VIVA VERDI!, about Casa Verdi, Milan, home for retired opera singers built by Giuseppe Verdi; and in post-production is FIGLI DEL FIUME, a ‘contemplative’ film that follows three men in search of meaning along Italy’s Po River. THE OTHER SIDE OF 90, which La Monte is directing, and JUSTICE DEFERRED, based on Len Williams’ critically acclaimed legal thriller, are in development. La Monte produced the award-winning short, DANDELION DHARMA; scripted play, “Three Grooms & A Bride”, and syndicated television talk show, “Marilu” starring Marilu Henner. A long-time member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, La Monte is a member of the Television Academy, and the Alliance of Women Directors.

A.C Films is a NYC media production company founded by Andy Cohen, a three-time Emmy nominated independent filmmaker, whose recent films received three Academy Awards nominations spanning both scripted and documentary genres: The Apprentice in 2025 for Best Actor (Sebastian Stan), Best Supporting Actor (Jeremy Strong) and To Kill a Tiger in 2024 for Best Feature Documentary. Cohen directed, wrote, and produced the multi-award-winning feature-length documentaries, Ximei (2019) and Beijing Spring (2021), among others.