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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

Awards
- Best Sound Design (Nomination), IDA Documentary Awards 2025, Los Angeles
- Best Director Award, Glocal Film Festival 2025, Varese
- Best Ethnomusicology-Themed Film Award, IsReal Festival del Cinema Documentario 2025, Nuoro

Festivals
- Varese, Glocal Film Festival, Best Director Award, 2025
- Torino, Festival Contemporanea Torino c/o Cinema Baretti, 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

Subject:
Simona Canonica

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

Cinematographer:
Bastian Esser

Camera Assistant:
Mariangela Marletta, Stefania Bona

Editing:
Enrico Giovannone

Location Sound Mixer and Sound Designer:
Rico Andriolo

Sound Editing and Re-Recording Mixer:
Manu Gerber, MPSE

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

Co-Production:
Daniele Segre and Daniele de Cicco for Redibis Film, RSI Radiotelevisione svizzera SSR SRG

In association with:
Simona Canonica and Rico Andriolo for Emide productions

Artistic cast:
Ulzii-Uchral Zulzaga
Zolzaya Damba Anthony Duwun Lee
Trent Bundirrik Lee
Abete Rosso - Picea Abies
Odsuren Baatar
Dashdorj Tserendavaa
Kenji Miyagawa
Elio Desilvestro
Giuliano Zugliani
Larry Gurruwiwi
Delina Canonica
Mirena Canonica

With the support of:
Eurimages, Ufficio Federale della Cultura, Fonfo FilmPlus della Svizzera italiana, Ministero della Cultura - Coproduzioni Minoritarie, Film Commission Torino e Piemonte – Piemonte Doc Film Fund, Provincia Autonoma di Trento, Trentino Film Fund

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

Wonderful news! It’s amazing!!! Song of Breath has been nominee for the Best Sound Design at the 41st IDA Documentary Awards. Congratulations to the film team, and above all to Rico Andriolo (Location Recordist and Sound Designer) and Manu Gerber, MPSE (Sound Editing and Re-Recording Mixer). For your sensitivity of listening and your incredible work. Thank you! 2025 41st IDA (International Documentary Association) Awards will take place on December 4-5-6 in Los Angeles, CA

After the premiere in Mongolia, the film’s journey continues to surprise us. We’re happy to share that Song of Breath has won the Best Directing awards at the Festival Glocal Doc in Varese, on November 6, 2025. Simona Canonica was Awarded by AIR3 (Associazione Registi Italiani).

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

We are very happy that Song of Breath has won the Best Ethnomusicology-Themed Film Award at the IsReal Festival, Nuoro, on June 1, 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

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

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