“A film you can listen to and an album you can watch.” This is the idea behind “Rider”, the first feature film produced by Emotion Network: a hybrid work that brings together cinema and contemporary music, transforming songs into an integral part of the narrative structure.
The tracks performed by the artists and performers appearing in the film do not simply accompany the images, but become fundamental elements of the story. The experience will extend beyond the cinema with the release of the soundtrack album of the same name, released simultaneously with the film.
“Rider” will be the closing film of the 41st International Critics’ Week (SIC), an autonomous and parallel section of the Venice International Film Festival, organized by the Italian National Film Critics Association (SNCCI).
The SIC, the oldest independent section of the Venice Film Festival, has always been dedicated to discovering new filmmakers and evolving cinematic languages. Throughout its history, it has helped bring international attention to directors such as Mike Leigh, Olivier Assayas, Pedro Costa, Abdellatif Kechiche and Kenneth Lonergan, establishing itself as a space for research and innovation within contemporary cinema.
Written and directed by Roan Johnson and Dade (Davide Pavanello), “Rider” is born from the encounter between two creative worlds: the cinematic vision of Roan Johnson, director and screenwriter of films such as I primi della lista, Piuma and Fino a qui tutto bene, and the musical sensibility of Dade, longtime bassist of Linea 77 and one of the most influential producers in the contemporary Italian music scene, making his directorial debut after winning the 2025 David di Donatello Award for Best Original Score for Gloria! by Margherita Vicario.
The film brings the energy of today’s Italian music scene to the big screen through a narrative that blends rhythm, images and words. At the center of the story is Samuele, known as Sami (Lorenzo Aloi), a young rider who crosses Milan every day by bicycle delivering orders. On New Year’s Eve, he meets Nia (Kaze), a young woman with whom he immediately forms a strong connection. But an impulsive decision will change the course of his life, forcing him to confront the consequences of his choices.
Alongside Lorenzo Aloi and Kaze, the cast includes Kyshan Wilson, Mattia Mor, numerous artists from the contemporary Italian music scene, including Johnny Marsiglia, Ensi, Axos, Rosa Chemical and Levante, as well as appearances by Margherita Vicario and Claudio Santamaria.
“Rider” is produced by Movimenti Production (a Banijay Entertainment company), Red Joint, Emotion Network in association with Rai Cinema, with the participation of HBO Max.
Following its Venice premiere, the film will be released in Italian cinemas on September 24, 2026, distributed by I Wonder Pictures, before becoming available for streaming on HBO Max.
