Film
About us
News
Contact

Song of Breath

Original title
"Il Canto del Respiro"

A documentary film by Simona Canonica
Switzerland, Italy, 2025, 110′,
v.o. Italian, Mongolian, English, Larrakia

Festivals & Awards
– Nyon, Visions du Réel, 2025
– Trento Film Festival, 2025
– Nuoro, IsReal Festival del Cinema Documentario,
Awarded as best ethnomusicological film, 2025
– Torino, Festival CinemAmbiente, 2025
– Ulaanbaatar, Ulaanbaatar International Film Festival,
Opening film of the Festival, 2025

Synopsis:
An immersive journey through some of the world’s most ancient cultures, rediscovering the invisible element that connects all living beings to Nature: ànemos, the “vital breath” that becomes vibration, sound, voice, and song. In Australia, a descendant of the natives travels across the country to pass on the memory of his people and the power of the didgeridoo’s circular sound. In Mongolia, a boy searches for the primordial vibration of his voice, the wonder of harmonic singing. In Italy, in the heart of the Paneveggio woods, a red fir tree holds and reveals (to those who know how to listen) its own secret: the very essence of music.

Credits

Director:
Simona Canonica

Screenplay:
Simona Canonica, Rico Andriolo, Daniela Persico, Dario D'Amato

Cinematographer:
Bastian Esser

Sound engineer:
Rico Andriolo

Production:
Tiziana Soudani, Amel Soudani, Michela Pini and Nicola Bernasconi for Amka Films Productions

Co-Production:
Redibis Film, RSI Radiotelevisione svizzera SSR SRG

In association with:
Emide productions

With the support of:
Ufficio Federale della Cultura, Fondo FilmPlus della Svizzera italiana

Emide promotes art films centered on
human experiences, on the experiences
of all living creatures, and
on their intersection

REVIEW

Emide productions is a Swiss independent film company founded in 2024 by Simona Canonica, film director and producer, and Rico Andriolo, sound engineer. Emide promotes art films centered on human experiences, on the experiences of all living creatures, and on their intersection. As the name itself suggests (Emys stands for freshwater pond turtle), the company embodies a connection to water and its vital energy, as well as a measured approach to its work, where thoughtfulness is born from experience. The company is particularly interested in exploring new forms of storytelling as an alternative to the mainstream and appreciates proposals that offer a fresh perspective, creative freedom, and a prominent role for sound.

News

We are thrilled to announce that "Song of Breath", directed by Simona Canonica, has been selected as the opening film of the 17th Ulaanbaatar International Film Festival. The screening will take place on October 8, 2025

Articles

Dimitri de Preux, Song of Breath.
«film-documentaire.fr», Apr. 2025

Jonas Rippstein, Eine klangvolle Suche
auf drei Kontinenten nach dem «Atem des Lebens».
«Filmbulletin.ch», 08. Apr. 2025

Nicola Mazzi, Là dove la terra vibra.
«Azione», 21 Aprile 2025

Premio per il Miglior Film a tema Etnomusicologico
IsReal Festival documentario
01 giugno 2025

Carmen Marinacci, Il canto del respiro’.
Un documentario che esplora i sensi attraverso il suono.
«TAXIDRIVERS» , 8 Giugno 2025

Maria-Cristina Riffero, Il Canto del Respiro:
un viaggio nella musica ancestrale.
10 Giugno 2025

Footer Banner Section

Emide productions Sagl
-
Via Stefano Franscini 8
6600 Locarno - Switzerland