This video documents a historical fencing tournament held in 2019 inside the stunning Torrechiara Castle (Parma, Italy).
The event was part of Hema in Armis, a competitive discipline that draws from medieval martial traditions.
As an active participant and passionate supporter of this sport, I was invited to narrate an event that welcomed several experienced athletes from the United States—including one of the original signatories of the DeKoven Concord, the American rulebook that also inspired the Italian Hema in Armis regulations.
The video captures the atmosphere of a tournament where passion for history and fencing blends with sportsmanship and camaraderie, creating a relaxed and authentic setting. At the same time, I wanted to convey the quiet focus that precedes each duel—the moments of preparation, the careful approach, the watchful study of one’s opponent, and the precision of each movement. Every action is deliberate, calculated to preserve breath under the weight of armor: a perfect balance of strength, strategy, and control.
The metallic sounds and the sharp clang of weapons striking steel plates ground the narrative in reality, countering any romanticized notion that might arise while watching these scenes.