Film Screening: Your Alberto—I Giacometti (The Giacomettis)

Travel to the rugged mountain valley of Bregaglia and trace the footsteps of the remarkable family of artists that it brought forth: the Giacomettis.

The Alliance Française de Chicago is honored to partner with the Consulate General of Switzerland in Chicago and the Swiss Benevolent Society on Your Alberto, a series exploring Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti.

To kick off the series—and in celebration of Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo 2025 (Week of the Italian Language in the World)—we are delighted to present a screening of Swiss director Susanna Fanzun’s 2023 documentary I Giacometti (The Giacomettis).

The screening will be preceded by a reception featuring complimentary light bites and Swiss wine where guests will have the chance to mix and mingle with their fellow art and language lovers.

Doors at 6:00 p.m. for the pre-program reception with refreshments. Program at 6:30. Please enter via 54 W Chicago Ave. Non-alcoholic options will be available.

The rugged, mysterious Swiss mountain valley of Bergell brought forth an extraordinary artistic dynasty: the Giacomettis. Starting with father Giovanni, one of the first impressionists, and continuing with children Alberto, Diego, Otilia, and Bruno, they were all endowed with an impressive artistic talent—above all the world-famous sculptor, painter, and engraver Alberto, who revolutionized the world of art with his thin sculptures. His strict mother Annetta was a calming influence within the circle of her loved ones and kept the family together from within.

The intensive family bond, embedded in the barren alpine landscape, was a special prerequisite for the unfolding of their artistic work. Exchanges with other cultures and living in metropolises shaped their lives.

The Engadine director Susanna Fanzun follows the traces of the Giacometti family. Masterful paintings paired with sketches, personal letters, contemporary witnesses, and breathtaking images of the Alpine landscapes let us take a look into the inner works of this impressive family.

About the Director

Susana Fanzun

Born in 1963 in Scuol, Switzerland, Susanna Fanzun is a Rhaeto-Romanic documentary filmmaker, author, and producer. In her films, she combines local stories in the Alpine region with global themes and finds the big connections in the small things of everyday life. After originally training as a primary school teacher, she began her professional career in journalism. She made her first documentary film in 1997 about silenced and dusty organs in Spain. From then on, she focused her work on documentary film.

About the Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo 2025

Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo

Held annually in the third week of October, the Week of the Italian Language in the World is organized by the diplomatic-consular network and the Italian Cultural Institutes in collaboration with multiple language promotion partners. The Week has become the most important global event dedicated to the Italian language. Since its inception in 2001, this annual event has received the High Patronage of the Presidency of the Republic.

The theme of the 25th edition (October 2025) is “Italofonia: Language Beyond Borders,” celebrating the linguistic, cultural, and social space of Italian and imagining a new community of people around the world linked by a passion for the language.