The Siege of Paradise

Scoring a Special Jury Mention at Tribeca, this documentary turns its lens on overtourism in Italy’s Cinque Terre, dubbed “the most beautiful place in the world”.

On the Italian Riviera lies Cinque Terre, whose centuries-old villages and postcard-perfect beaches attract around four million holiday-makers – including countless social media influencers – annually. It’s become one of the most photographed places in the world, but this fame also concerns the 4000 individuals who call it home. Some, like winemaker Bartalo and restaurateur Carmelo, have resigned themselves to this yearly influx that finances their region. Others, like fisherman Guido, lament its toll on tradition, while mediators like politician Fabrizia must weigh profitability against sustainability.

Sanatorium (MIFF 2025) director Gar O’Rourke returns with another elegant exploration of culture and place, this time exploring tourism as a double-edged sword bringing both wealth and threats to residents’ way of life. Rather than cold statistics, the film grounds its investigation on compelling firsthand accounts from locals, along with two lifestyle influencers whose insights reveal Cinque Terre’s simultaneous value and expendability for visitors. Meanwhile, DOP Lukas Gut – recipient of Tribeca’s Special Jury Mention for Cinematography in a Documentary Feature – captures Cinque Terre’s painterly radiance, completing this robust, handsomely realised account of #travel’s true cost.

Content: Melbourne International Film Festival