Is Fireworks a True Story? Yes, Here's Why

Image source: rai.it

In the panorama of the Italian fiction dedicated to historical memory, "Fireworks” occupies a special place. On the occasion of the eightieth anniversary of the Liberation, the series is broadcast on Rai 1 for three prime time evenings with a strong emotional impact. The narration focuses on a group of very young boys, between 12 and 13 years old, who move between the Susa Valley and the Piedmont Alps to help the partisans during the Nazi-Fascist occupation. A story that, although fictionalized, is rooted in real events which occurred in Italy during the Resistance.

The fiction is based on the book of the same name by Andrea Bouchard, published by Salani. The writer collaborated directly on the script of the series, ensuring a strong historical adherence to the facts narrated. Although it does not tell a specific and documented story, “Fuochi d'artificio” is inspired by testimonies, documents and authentic dynamics of the time, giving voice to those boys who, with courage and cunning, truly contributed to the liberation of Italy.

Where and when to watch the Fireworks series

"Fireworks” is a miniseries in six 50-minute episodes, directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli and written together with Marianna Cappi, with the collaboration of Andrea Bouchard himself. The episodes are broadcast on Rai 1 in three special evenings:

Tuesday 15 April 2025
Tuesday 22 April 2025
Friday April 25 2025 (Liberation Day)

All episodes are also available in streaming on RaiPlay, the free Rai platform, where you can watch again on demand from any device. An accessible choice to reach even the youngest audiences, offering an effective narrative tool to tell the value of Italian resistance.

The cast is made up of young emerging actors – Anna Losano, Luca Charles Brucini, Carlotta Dosi and Lorenzo Enrico – supported by well-known interpreters such as Carla Signoris, Bebo Storti, Paolo Briguglia and Barbara Ronchi. The intent is clear: to make memory vivid, exciting and accessible even to the new generations.