THE FACE AND THE THRESHOLD | CHIARA
Written and directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli in 2022 and presented in competition at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, Chiara follows the life of Clare of Assisi, played by Margherita Mazzucco. Set in Assisi in 1211, Clare abandons her wealthy family against her father’s will and an arranged marriage to embrace poverty and join the […]
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THE FACE AND THE THRESHOLD | IL SOGNO DI FRANCESCO [The Brotherhood: A Life with Saint Francis]
Directed by Renaud Fely and Arnaud Louvet in 2016, The Brotherhood: A Life with Saint Francis is a Franco–Italian–Belgian co-production depicting Saint Francis of Assisi as he struggles to draft his Rule and to realise his spiritual vision. It was shot in France and Umbria, with a mostly Italian cast. The central theme is the […]
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THE FACE AND THE THRESHOLD | FRANCESCO
Francesco is a historical drama about the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. Directed and co-written by Liliana Cavani in 1989, it stars Mickey Rourke as Francis and Helena Bonham Carter as Clare, who is destined for sainthood. The screenplay is based on Hermann Hesse’s 1904 novel Francis of Assisi, with music composed by Vangelis. […]
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THE FACE AND THE THRESHOLD | FRATELLO SOLE, SORELLA LUNA [Brother Sun, Sister Moon]
Directed by Franco Zeffirelli in 1972, Brother Sun, Sister Moon is freely inspired by the life of Saint Francis of Assisi and the formation of the Franciscan rule. It won the David di Donatello for Best Director and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Production Design. In 2024, a restored 4K version was presented […]
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THE FACE AND THE THRESHOLD | FRANCESCO, GIULLARE DI DIO [The Flowers of St. Francis]
Directed by Roberto Rossellini in 1950, The Flowers of St. Francis is inspired by I fioretti di san Francesco and the life of frate Ginepro. To highlight less conventional aspects of Franciscan life, the director also drew on the expertise of historian Arnaldo Fortini. The episodes, independent from one another, are linked by their reference […]
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THE FACE AND THE THRESHOLD | FRANCESCO D’ASSISI
Directed by Liliana Cavani in 1966, Francesco d’Assisi was originally conceived as an Italian television miniseries and later re-edited in 1972 as a feature film. Shot in black and white on 16 mm film and created with the historical consultancy of Boris Ulianich, it portrays the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, son of the wealthy […]
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THE FACE AND THE THRESHOLD | UCCELLACCI E UCCELLINI [The hawks and the sparrows]
Written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini and starring Totò and Ninetto Davoli, The hawks and the sparrows is Totò’s last leading role. Marcello and his son Ninetto wander through the outskirts and countryside around Rome, where they meet a crow, symbol of a left-wing intellectual. The bird tells the story of two Franciscan friars […]
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THE FACE AND THE THRESHOLD | FRATE SOLE [Brother Sun]
Directed by Ugo Falena and Mario Corsi, with a screenplay by the latter, Brother Sun is a 1918 Italian silent film that recounts the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. Divided into four episodes – The Encounter with the Leper, In the Footsteps of the Poor Man of Assisi, Time, and The Stigmata – the […]
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THE FACE AND THE THRESHOLD | IL POVERELLO DI ASSISI [The Poor Man of Assisi]
Cine-concert with live music performed by Maestro Mario Rahi. Directed by Enrico Guazzoni in 1911, The Poor Man of Assisi is an Italian silent short film on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi and was the first cinematic work dedicated to the saint. Shot in Assisi, it was produced for the International Exhibition of […]
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THE FACE AND THE THRESHOLD | FRANCESCO, GIULLARE DI DIO [The Flowers of St. Francis]
Directed by Roberto Rossellini in 1950, the film is inspired by I fioretti di san Francesco and the life of frate Ginepro. To highlight less conventional aspects of Franciscan life, the director also drew on the expertise of historian Arnaldo Fortini. The episodes, independent from one another, are linked by their reference to the Porziuncola […]
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