Country of production: Italy
Year of production: 2022
Length: 93’
Language(s): English
Author and director: Susanna della Sala
Production: DocLab
DoP: Andrea Josè di Pasquale
Editors: Aline Hervè, Susanna della Sala and Elisabetta Abrami
Original soundtrack: Vittorio De Vecchi
Additional music: Alex Ebert, The Acid, Vera Sola, Zee Avi, Linda della Sala
Producers: Marco Visalberghi, DocLab
Sherin Salvetti, DocLab
Year of production: 2022
Length: 93’
Language(s): English
Author and director: Susanna della Sala
Production: DocLab
DoP: Andrea Josè di Pasquale
Editors: Aline Hervè, Susanna della Sala and Elisabetta Abrami
Original soundtrack: Vittorio De Vecchi
Additional music: Alex Ebert, The Acid, Vera Sola, Zee Avi, Linda della Sala
Producers: Marco Visalberghi, DocLab
Sherin Salvetti, DocLab
︎ 2023 David di Donatello, Italian Academy Award- Top 10 best documentary
︎ 2022 Locarno Film Festival, Semaine de la critique Official Selection
︎ 2022 Festival Dei Popoli Official Selection
AMC Best Editing Award;
theatrical distribution Award “IMPERDIBILI”
theatrical distribution Award “ il Cinemino”
︎ 2022 Antenna Film Festival, Australia, International documentary competition
︎ 2023 Docville Official Selection
Jury Award (candidate) Best International Documentary
︎ 2023 Freistadt Film Festival - Austria - International documentary competition
LOGLINE
Among the remnants of a man-made disaster a forlorn community flourishes thanks to the healing power of art.
SYNOPSIS
In the midst of the harsh Californian desert and on the shores of a toxic lake lies a land that time forgot: Bombay Beach. This once abandoned town is now home to a small eclectic community where art heals people in the most unexpected ways. A British matriarch, a retired bank robber, an evicted artist from LA and an Italian prince open the doors to a magical land, a living theater, perhaps a way to an alternative life.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
The documentary was born from a personal life experience and its creative process was four years in the making. “Last Stop before Chocolate Mountain” to me represents a universal and metaphorical land where we confront ourselves, awakening our creative impulses, in the mirage of individual liberation. The film embodies the collective longing, both desperate and joyful, for acceptance and a sense of belonging.
PRODUCER’S NOTE
When in 2019, back from her last long stay in Bombay Beach, Susanna della Sala came to us with her magical footage I realized how much that unique community had captured her imagination. Personally, I have always been fascinated by life stories from the edge of the world, be it the ‘’Sacred’’ GRA of Rome or the desert of California. That is why I decided to bet on this young and original director. Marco Visalberghi.
︎ 2022 Locarno Film Festival, Semaine de la critique Official Selection
︎ 2022 Festival Dei Popoli Official Selection
AMC Best Editing Award;
theatrical distribution Award “IMPERDIBILI”
theatrical distribution Award “ il Cinemino”
︎ 2022 Antenna Film Festival, Australia, International documentary competition
︎ 2023 Docville Official Selection
Jury Award (candidate) Best International Documentary
︎ 2023 Freistadt Film Festival - Austria - International documentary competition
LOGLINE
Among the remnants of a man-made disaster a forlorn community flourishes thanks to the healing power of art.
SYNOPSIS
In the midst of the harsh Californian desert and on the shores of a toxic lake lies a land that time forgot: Bombay Beach. This once abandoned town is now home to a small eclectic community where art heals people in the most unexpected ways. A British matriarch, a retired bank robber, an evicted artist from LA and an Italian prince open the doors to a magical land, a living theater, perhaps a way to an alternative life.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
The documentary was born from a personal life experience and its creative process was four years in the making. “Last Stop before Chocolate Mountain” to me represents a universal and metaphorical land where we confront ourselves, awakening our creative impulses, in the mirage of individual liberation. The film embodies the collective longing, both desperate and joyful, for acceptance and a sense of belonging.
PRODUCER’S NOTE
When in 2019, back from her last long stay in Bombay Beach, Susanna della Sala came to us with her magical footage I realized how much that unique community had captured her imagination. Personally, I have always been fascinated by life stories from the edge of the world, be it the ‘’Sacred’’ GRA of Rome or the desert of California. That is why I decided to bet on this young and original director. Marco Visalberghi.