Summer evenings in Istria carry a special magic, and this year the town of Poreč once again becomes the epicenter of a unique cultural experience that combines the seventh art with the relaxing atmosphere of the Adriatic coast. The Poreč Tourist Board proudly announces the return of the beloved summer event – Poreč Sunset Cinema. This is an open-air film program that offers visitors an escape from everyday life and an immersion into the world of film under the starry sky, at one of the most beautiful locations in the city. This is not just watching a movie; this is an all-evening experience that begins with the sounds of music and continues with screenings celebrating some of the greatest music icons of all time. If you are searching for the perfect summer memory, you will find it in the blend of the sea, pine trees, music, and film art that Poreč offers.

The program is completely free and open to everyone, from local residents to tourists who want to experience something different. The screenings will take place during July and August, starting at 9 PM, at the beautiful location of the city beach, in the pleasant shade of a pine grove located right next to the Courthouse building. This carefully selected location provides an intimate atmosphere and a perfect backdrop for film nights, where the sound of the waves and the scent of the Mediterranean become part of the scenery. The organizers have made sure that the experience is complete, so the atmosphere before and after each screening will be further enriched by DJ sets, creating a lounge ambiance ideal for socializing and relaxing.

Music legends on the big screen

This year's edition of Poreč Sunset Cinema is dedicated to the greats who forever changed the world with their musical creations. Through a carefully selected program of biographical films, the audience will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the lives, careers, ups, and downs of music icons whose songs still resonate on the global stage today. Each film is a story in itself, offering an emotional and inspiring journey through different musical eras and life paths.

July 18, 2025 – “A Complete Stranger” (A Complete Unknown)

The film summer opens with the long-awaited title "A Complete Stranger," a biographical drama that explores one of the most important and controversial moments in Bob Dylan's career. The film, directed by the acclaimed James Mangold, known for masterpieces like "Walk the Line" about Johnny Cash, focuses on the mid-1960s. This is the period when the young Dylan, already crowned as the king of folk music, shocked purists and fans by plugging in an electric guitar at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. The lead role is brilliantly played by Timothée Chalamet, who not only faithfully captured Dylan's energy and charisma but also sang himself for the film, bringing a new dimension of authenticity. The film is not just a story about a musical transition, but also a deep analysis of the pressure of fame, artistic freedom, and the relationship with the audience. Alongside Chalamet, the cast includes Edward Norton and Elle Fanning, and critics have already declared the film one of the favorites for the upcoming film awards season, praising its visual aesthetics and strong acting performances.

July 25, 2025 – “Better Man”

A week later, the screen is taken over by the story of one of the greatest British pop stars – Robbie Williams. "Better Man" is not a classic biography. Director Michael Gracey, who is behind the global hit "The Greatest Showman," opted for a bold and completely unexpected approach. He portrays Williams, in his moments of greatest fame and deepest crises, as a digitally animated chimpanzee. This unusual directorial choice symbolizes Williams's own sense of alienation and internal struggle with the demons of fame, addiction, and public pressure. The film follows his meteoric rise within the boy band Take That, his dramatic departure into a solo career, and the turbulent years that followed, filled with scandals but also incredible successes like the legendary concert at Knebworth. Through a self-ironic and brutal, yet at the same time moving narrative, "Better Man" provides a unique insight into the psyche of a superstar struggling to find his place under the sun, far from the stage lights. It is a story of redemption, love, and the search for the title of a "better man."

August 1, 2025 – “What’s Love Got to Do with It”

The beginning of August is reserved for the timeless story of the queen of rock and roll, Tina Turner. The 1993 film "What's Love Got to Do with It," based on her autobiography "I, Tina," is still considered one of the most powerful and influential biographical films ever made. Angela Bassett, in a role that earned her a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination, embodies Tina with incredible strength and vulnerability. The film follows her journey from a talented girl named Anna Mae Bullock from Nutbush, Tennessee, through her turbulent and abusive relationship with musical partner and husband Ike Turner (masterfully played by Laurence Fishburne), to her spectacular comeback in the 1980s as a solo artist. It is a story of survival, courage, and the incredible resilience of a woman who managed to escape the hell of abuse and become a global symbol of strength and musical excellence. The screening of this film under the stars in Poreč will be an emotional reminder of the indestructible spirit of Tina Turner.

August 15, 2025 – “The Music of Silence” (The Music of Silence)

On the Feast of the Assumption, visitors will have the opportunity to get to know the life story of one of today's most beloved tenors, Andrea Bocelli, through the film "The Music of Silence." The film is based on Bocelli's 1999 autobiographical novel of the same name, in which he openly talks about his childhood in Tuscany, his struggle with glaucoma which made him partially sighted from birth, and the tragic accident that left him completely blind at the age of twelve. In the film, Bocelli's alter ego, Amos Bardi, played by Toby Sebastian, goes through all life's challenges guided by an immense love for music. The story follows his perseverance, the support of his family, and his meeting with the Maestro, played by Antonio Banderas, who helps him perfect his extraordinary talent. Andrea Bocelli himself appears in one scene of the film and, as a narrator, guides the audience through the key moments of his life, all the way to the triumphant success that launched him to world stardom. It is an inspiring story about the power of will and the belief that true music comes from the silence of the soul.

Special surprises for the end of summer

For the very end of the event, on August 22 and 23, the organizers are announcing two special surprise screenings. The titles are being kept secret to further intrigue the audience and provide a grand finale to this unique summer cinema. These dates are an opportunity to gather once again at the unique seaside location and surrender to the film magic that Poreč offers. In case of unfavorable weather conditions, it is important to note that the screenings will be postponed to a new date or canceled, about which the organizers will inform the public in a timely manner. So, mark your calendars, invite your friends, get comfortable with the scent of pine trees and the sound of the sea, and become part of the most beautiful summer film story on the Adriatic.