The mediator (The Negotiator, orig. title: The kite) is a 2025 Italian drama film directed by Alessandro Tonda from a screenplay by Sandro Petraglia and Lorenzo Banatori. The film premiered in Italy on 6 March 2025.
The film tells the story of the last 28 days of the life of Nicola Calipari, an Italian intelligence officer and SISMI employee who died on March 4, 2005, during an operation to free journalist Giuliana Sgrena in Iraq. The film was awarded the "Best Film" award at the 65th edition of the "Globo d'Oro" awards in Italy.
The film focuses on the 28-day period before the tragic incident, when Nicola Calipari led the operation to free Giuliana Sgrena, who was captured in Iraq.
In addition to the actions on the field, the plot also follows Calipari's personal life - his internal dilemmas, moral responsibility, and the sacrifice he makes.
After his release, while returning to Baghdad airport, Calipari, while sheltering the journalist, was killed by arrows from American soldiers at a checkpoint - an event that remains a scar in Italian contemporary memory.
The film is distinguished by its dramatic realism, shot in Rome and Morocco, with a strong atmosphere of tension, international diplomacy and personal sacrifice. The visual style combines scenes from the service's operations center, negotiations, media and public reactions, with strong psychological portraits.
„The Nibbio“" is an impressive, emotionally charged film that does what is important — not just to present an event, but to show the person behind it. Director Alessandro Tonda and actor Claudio Santamaria They manage to turn a public tragedy into a personal story that resonates with the values of courage and humanity. If you are interested in films that tell true stories, that remember and ask questions — this is definitely the title for you.
