Over the past twenty years our team has traveled, explored, studied and documented caves and other remote locations on all continents. But has never stopped working in that area of ??Chiapas, where discovered dozens of kilometers of large caves, including the Cueva del Río La Venta, one of the most spectacular journeys in the world of caving.
There over thirty expeditions were organized, in collaboration with Italian and Mexican universities. The missions, made ??possible mainly by the sponsors, involved dozens of cavers from different nationalities and have been able to count on the support of the state government of Chiapas, the Selva El Ocote Reserv of the Biosphere and the Town Hall Cintalapa de Figueroa. The last step of this fascinating journey is the birth, last year, of the Centro de Estudios Kársticos La Venta, which includes Italian and Mexican partners and is headquartered in Tuxtla Gutierrez. The center deals with the study and preservation of this exceptional heritage karst area, and also investing on training.
The film Río La Venta, a canyon between two oceans has become a historical document: tells the story of an exploration incredible, almost nineteenth century, conducted at the end of a century in which all seemed already known. And testifies to the power of cinema to involve and unite explorers, researchers, institutions and local populations.
The screening was held Sunday, August 25 to 17 in the theater Vittoria of Bosco Chiesanuova, during a special event in Lessinia Film Festival. Reviewing this film after so many years brought me back to the thrill of that sulrty November evening many years ago, in Mexico. Then we were a few close friends, this time the theater was packed.
After a long applause, the festival director Alessandro Anderloni made ??me some question about La Venta and the exploration. The audience was riveted to their seats, eyes wide open. I am always astonished when our going into caves excite those who know little of caves. But I should not: after all, even excite us, whether if we go to the end of the world both if we enter into the small cave behind our house. That's the beauty of caving. Thursday, August 29, at 17, the Festival will also host the film The Cave of Giauli, by Enzo Procopio and Tono De Vivo, shot in collaboration with La Venta in the spectacular scenery of the Dolomites. Authors and protagonists of the film will be present: Mauro Lampo with its Giauli. Natalino Russo

Rio La Venta, a canyon between two oceans
Director: Tullio Bernabei
50’. Etabeta/La Venta, Italia 1994. The cave of Giauli
Directors: Enzo Procopio, Tono De Vivo
30’. Alchimia Treviso, Italia 2013.