The main character of the film is a young man named Antonio (played by Vinicio Marchioni), who is deeply opposed to war and is part of a group of anarchist activists in Italy. One day, he is approached by a film director who is making a documentary about the Italian peacekeeping mission in Iraq and offers Antonio a job as his assistant on the project.
Despite his reservations about the war and the military, Antonio decides to go to Iraq, hoping to use the opportunity to document the realities of the conflict and expose the truth about the presence of Italian troops in the country. Once there, he meets a group of soldiers and civilians who are struggling to survive in the midst of the conflict, and he begins to question his own beliefs about the war.
As he becomes more involved in the filmmaking process, Antonio also begins to develop a relationship with an Iraqi woman named Zahra (played by Hafsia Herzi), who is working as a translator for the production. Their growing connection forces Antonio to confront the complicated politics and human cost of the war in a personal way.
Throughout the film, we see flashbacks to Antonio's life in Italy before he went to Iraq, including his relationships with his mother and sister, and his participation in protests and direct actions against the war. These scenes provide context for his journey and add emotional depth to the story.
20 Cigarettes is a powerful exploration of the impact of war on individuals and communities, as well as a reflection on the ethical and moral complexities of documenting conflict. Through Antonio's experiences, the film raises important questions about the role of art and storytelling in times of crisis, and the responsibility of those who bear witness to history.
