Francesca Comencini’s ‘The Time It Takes’ Explores Family, Cinema, and Recovery
Tonight, March 20, 2026, the autobiographical film The Time It Takes, directed by Francesca Comencini, will be broadcast on television. The film delves into the complex relationship between the director and her father, Luigi Comencini, a prominent figure in Italian cinema known for his 1953 romantic comedy Bread, Love and Dreams.
A Daughter’s Reflection on a Cinematic Legacy
The Time It Takes centers on Comencini’s childhood experiences alongside her father, particularly during the production of his acclaimed series, Adventures of Pinocchio, a significant drama for RAI in the 1970s. The film portrays how their relationship evolved, becoming strained during Francesca’s adolescence as she battled drug addiction. Her father’s support proved crucial in her recovery.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
The film garnered recognition for its poignant storytelling and artistic merit, winning the Silver Ribbon for Best Film at the Taormina Film Festival in 2025. Critics have praised the film’s delicate balance between dream and reality, and its accurate reconstruction of the Pinocchio set.
Francesca Comencini: A Family Rooted in Cinema
Born on August 19, 1961, in Rome, Francesca Comencini is the youngest daughter of director Luigi Comencini and Giulia, the daughter of Princess Eleonora Grifeo of Partanna. She comes from a family deeply immersed in the world of filmmaking, with her siblings Paola (a set designer), Eleonora (a production manager), and Cristina (a director) all contributing to the industry.
Comencini’s own journey through cinema began after abandoning her studies in Philosophy in 1982. She moved to France and made her directorial debut in 1984 with Pianoforte, a film about two young drug addicts that won the Sica Award for best debut at the Venice Film Festival. She has since directed documentaries, including Carlo Giuliani, boy (2002) about the G8 protests in Genoa, and television series such as Gomorrah and Django.
The Father-Daughter Bond: A Personal and Cinematic Exploration
Comencini has described The Time It Takes as a deeply personal project, one she felt compelled to create after years of reflection. “It’s a film I’ve always had in me, but it was difficult to make,” she stated during a press conference at the Venice Film Festival. “Only later, in the period of the pandemic, did I sense the need to write down my memories.”
She emphasized the authenticity of the film, stating that it draws from “all the real memories, the real ones for me.” Comencini too noted the importance of the relationship between a father and daughter, a theme she felt was often underrepresented in cinema. She expressed a desire to honor her father’s legacy, acknowledging his dedication to preserving silent films and his unwavering commitment to life and art. “First life and then cinema,” she recalled him saying, highlighting his belief that human integrity should always arrive before artistic ambition.